Decontamination is most commonly used in medical environments, including dentistry, surgery and veterinary science, in the process of food preparation, in environmental science, and in forensic science.

Where does decontamination take place?

At a hazardous waste site, decontamination facilities should be located in the Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ), i.e., the area between the Exclusion Zone (the contaminated area) and the Support Zone (the clean area) as shown in 3.

When would you use decontamination?

Decontamination procedures are important for the protection of workers whose equipment (e.g. a hazmat suit) has been contaminated from direct exposure to the contaminant. Decontamination also prevents a contaminant from being spread to non-work spaces, which may be ill-equipped to detect and remove it.