decontaminants
Substances removing pollutants
Decontaminants are substances or agents used to remove or neutralize contamination—radioactive material, chemical agents, biological hazards, or other pollutants.
The term appears in military, industrial, and environmental contexts: The cleanup crew applied decontaminants to the spill site.
A decontaminant might be a chemical solution, foam, or other material that renders contaminants harmless.
Substances that destroy pathogens
- antisepticsAgents preventing microbial growth
- biocidesLife-destroying chemical agents
- germicidesAgents that destroy microbes
- sanitizersAgents that reduce germs
fungicides · bactericides · chlorine · iodine · bleach · phenolics · oxidizers · surfactants
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- neutralizingMaking something ineffective
- detoxifyingEliminating toxic substances
- remediationAct of correcting faults
filtering · purging · cleansing · irradiation · chemical treatment · encapsulation · dilution · absorption
Emitting nuclear decay particles
- biologicalRelating to living organisms
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- toxicCapable of causing harm
- nuclearOf atomic energy
pathogenic · microbial · viral · bacterial · fungal · asbestos · lead · mercury
Masks filtering harmful air
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- masksFace-covering disguises
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- barriersThings blocking access
scrubbers · filters · sprayers · foggers · airlocks · PPE · goggles · dosimeters
Complete separation from others
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- emergency responseOrganized action during crises
- complianceAdhering to requirements
inspection · disposal · waste management · training · certification · regulations · safety zones · chain of custody
disinfectants
Substances that destroy pathogens
- antisepticsAgents preventing microbial growth
- biocidesLife-destroying chemical agents
- germicidesAgents that destroy microbes
sanitizers · fungicides · bactericides · chlorine · iodine · bleach · phenolics · oxidizers · surfactants · enzymes
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- neutralizingMaking something ineffective
- detoxifyingEliminating toxic substances
remediation · filtering · purging · cleansing · irradiation · chemical treatment · encapsulation · dilution · absorption · oxidation
radioactive
Emitting nuclear decay particles
- biologicalRelating to living organisms
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- toxicCapable of causing harm
nuclear · pathogenic · microbial · viral · bacterial · fungal · asbestos · lead · mercury · PCBs
respirators
Masks filtering harmful air
barriers · scrubbers · filters · sprayers · foggers · airlocks · PPE · goggles · dosimeters
isolation
Complete separation from others
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- emergency responseOrganized action during crises
compliance · inspection · disposal · waste management · training · certification · regulations · safety zones · chain of custody · documentation
decontaminantscontaminants
Unwelcome substances in something pure
pollutants · toxins · impurities · pathogens · adulterants
decontaminantspollutants
Harmful environmental substances
environmental toxins · industrial waste · effluents · emissions · runoff