Which term describes the process of removing undesirable substance from an object or person?

Which term describes the process of removing undesirable substance from an object or person?

• A. Decontamination
• B. Cleaning
• C. Disinfection
• D. Sterilization

Answer: (A)

Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from a person or object to make the environment safer. It covers removing or reducing hazardous substances so responders, patients, and gear aren’t carrying them into other areas. Cleaning simply removes dirt and debris and may not eliminate all hazards; disinfection reduces pathogens but doesn’t guarantee removal of chemical or other contaminants; sterilization eliminates all microorganisms and spores, usually for equipment that enters sterile fields. Because removing an undesirable substance from both people and objects is exactly what decontamination aims to do, it’s the best fit in this context.

Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from a person or object to make the environment safer. It covers removing or reducing hazardous substances so responders, patients, and gear aren’t carrying them into other areas. Cleaning simply removes dirt and debris and may not eliminate all hazards; disinfection reduces pathogens but doesn’t guarantee removal of chemical or other contaminants; sterilization eliminates all microorganisms and spores, usually for equipment that enters sterile fields. Because removing an undesirable substance from both people and objects is exactly what decontamination aims to do, it’s the best fit in this context.