Decontaminaatioon

Decontaminaatioon, sometimes spelled decontamination, is the process of removing or reducing contaminants from people, objects, or environments to prevent harm and reduce transmission of infectious agents or hazardous substances. The term covers a range of activities and levels of cleanliness, from basic cleaning to complete sterilization.

In practice, decontamination is distinguished from disinfection (which reduces viable microorganisms to safe levels) and sterilization (which aims to destroy all forms of life). The chosen level depends on the risk, the material involved, and the intended use of the item or area. Decontamination sequences often include cleaning to remove soil, followed by a disinfection and, where required, sterilization.

Methods vary: mechanical cleaning to remove matter; chemical agents such as detergents, oxidizers, or alcohol-based solutions; heat-based sterilization like steam autoclaving or dry heat; and physical methods such as irradiation (UV, gamma) or filtration in liquids and air. For certain hazardous materials, containment and proper disposal are essential to prevent secondary exposure.

Applications include healthcare facilities (patient rooms, equipment), laboratories handling biological or chemical hazards, food and pharmaceutical industries, wastewater and environmental cleanup, and emergency response to spills or contamination events. Regulatory guidelines from health agencies and international standards inform the selection and validation of decontamination procedures.

Challenges include the presence of resistant organisms or spore-forming pathogens, biofilms, and material sensitivity that limits method choice. Decontamination must balance effectiveness with safety, environmental impact, cost, and the risk of recontamination.