What is the process called when hazardous material is removed or neutralized from personnel or equipment?

The process of removing or neutralizing hazardous material from personnel or equipment is known as decontamination. Decontamination is a critical procedure in emergency response situations involving hazardous materials, as it helps to ensure that harmful substances are effectively addressed to minimize health risks. This process can involve physical removal of contaminants, chemical neutralization, or even washing with water and soap to eliminate the contaminants from surfaces or skin.

In contrast, sanitization and sterilization refer to different levels of cleanliness and germ reduction. Sanitization reduces the number of bacteria and germs to safe levels but may not eliminate all harmful agents, while sterilization is a more rigorous process that kills all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores. Isolation, on the other hand, involves separating individuals or items potentially contaminated from others to prevent the spread of hazardous materials, but it does not actively remove contaminants. Thus, the term that specifically addresses the removal or neutralization of hazardous materials is decontaminate.