What is the process called for removing or neutralizing hazardous materials?

The process of removing or neutralizing hazardous materials is referred to as decontamination. This term encompasses a variety of methods used to reduce or eliminate toxins and contaminants from surfaces and materials, ensuring safety for personnel and the environment. Decontamination is crucial in settings where hazardous substances may pose a risk to health, such as in healthcare facilities, laboratories, and environmental clean-ups.

In distinguishing decontamination from other cleaning processes, disinfecting refers specifically to the use of chemical agents to reduce harmful microorganisms on surfaces but does not necessarily address hazardous materials like chemicals or biological agents. Sanitization typically involves reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels to meet public health standards, but it may not remove all hazardous substances. Sterilization is a process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including spores, but it is often used in medical contexts for surgical instruments rather than for hazardous materials broadly. Therefore, decontamination is the most comprehensive term suited for contexts involving both hazardous materials and microbial contamination.