decontamination
Removing harmful substances
Decontamination is the process of removing or neutralizing dangerous substances—radioactive material, chemical agents, pathogens, or other hazardous contaminants.
The term appears in military, medical, and environmental contexts: The workers went through decontamination before leaving the site.
A decontamination chamber or shower is where the process happens.
Sealed garment blocking toxins
- respiratorBreathing protection device
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- maskFace-worn concealment
- gogglesSealed protective eyewear
protective gear · shielding · containment · barrier · absorbent · ventilation · HEPA filter · positive pressure
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- washingCleaning with liquid
- disinfectingKilling bacteria and viruses
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- rinsingClearing with water
showering · fumigation · neutralization · detoxification · filtration · irradiation · autoclave · chemical treatment
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
- precautionsAdvance protective measures
triage · evacuation · staging area · checkpoint · screening · monitoring · clearance · certification
Fission-based power facility
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- crime sceneLocation of an offense
- disaster zoneRegion of severe destruction
battlefield · quarantine zone · cleanroom · water treatment · morgue · isolation ward · triage · hot zone
Spontaneous nuclear decay
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- biologicalRelating to living organisms
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- exposureState of being unprotected
pollution · carcinogen · pathogen · virus · bacteria · spore · nerve agent · asbestos
hazmat suit
Sealed garment blocking toxins
- respiratorBreathing protection device
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- maskFace-worn concealment
goggles · protective gear · shielding · containment · barrier · absorbent · ventilation · HEPA filter · positive pressure · dosimeter
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- washingCleaning with liquid
- disinfectingKilling bacteria and viruses
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
rinsing · showering · fumigation · neutralization · detoxification · filtration · irradiation · autoclave · chemical treatment · ultraviolet
quarantine
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
precautions · triage · evacuation · staging area · checkpoint · screening · monitoring · clearance · certification · disposal
nuclear plant
Fission-based power facility
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- crime sceneLocation of an offense
disaster zone · battlefield · quarantine zone · cleanroom · water treatment · morgue · isolation ward · triage · hot zone · exclusion zone
radioactivity
Spontaneous nuclear decay
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- biologicalRelating to living organisms
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
exposure · pollution · carcinogen · pathogen · virus · bacteria · spore · nerve agent · asbestos · lead
- sanitationsewage, sewers, cleaning, sewer, disinfecting
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, sanitizer
- safety measureshandwashing, backup plan, fire prevention, fire drills, escape route
- Lab Safetysafety goggles, lab safety, lab coat, PPE, fume hood
- workplace safetyworkplace safety, PPE, safety standards, worker safety, goggles
decontaminationcontamination
Introduction of impurities
pollution · adulteration · infection · corruption · poisoning