ABSTRACT
Decontamination is the process of removing or neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated on personal protective apparel and equipment. Proper decontamination is essential to ensure the health and safety of personnel responding to hazardous chemical incidents. A decontamination plan must be developed and set up before any personnel or equipment may enter any area where the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals exists. Decontamination methods can be either physical removal or chemical inactivation, or a combination of both methods. In pure form or at high concentration, decontamination solutions or chemicals may pose a direct health hazard to workers. Decontamination methods vary in effectiveness for removing different hazardous materials. The effectiveness of any decontamination method must be assessed at the beginning of a program and periodically throughout the lifetime of the program. All personnel, clothing, equipment, tools, and samples leaving the contaminated area must be decontaminated to remove any hazardous chemical which may have adhered to them.
