Chapter 33 Hazardous Material Decon

Front 1

Decontamination technique where a spongy material is mixed with a liquid hazardous material. The contaminated mixture is collected and disposed o

Back 1

Absorption (decontamination)

Front 2

The process of adding a material such as sand or activated carbon to a contaminant, which then adheres to the surface of the material and allows for collection of the contaminated material.

Back 2

Adsorption

Front 3

The process of transferring a hazardous material from its source to people, animals, the environment, or equipment, all of which may act as carriers for the material.

Back 3

Contamination

Front 4

The process by which a contaminant is carried out of the hot zone and contaminates people, animals, the environment, or equipment.

Back 4

Cross contamination

Front 5

The physical or chemical process of removing any form of contaminant from a person, an animal, an object, or the environment.

Back 5

Decontamination

Front 6

A controlled area between the warm zone and the hot zone, through which all persons who entered the hot zone will exit for decontamination.

Back 6

Decontamination corridor

Front 7

The team responsible for reducing and preventing the spread of contaminants from persons and equipment used at a hazardous materials incident. Members of this team establish the decontamination corridor and conduct all phases of decontamination.

Back 7

Decontamination team

Front 8

The process used to destroy recognized disease-carrying (pathogenic) microorganisms.

Back 8

Disinfection

Front 9

A two-step removal process for contaminated items that cannot be properly decontaminated. Items are bagged and placed in appropriate containers for transport to a hazardous waste facility.

Back 9

Disposal

Front 10

The process of getting the bulk of contaminants off a victim without regard for any form of containment. It is used in potentially life-threatening situations, without the formal establishment of a decontamination corridor.

Back 10

Emergency decontamination

Front 11

The process of changing the chemical properties of a hazardous material to reduce its harmful effects.

Back 11

Emulsification

Front 12

The process of removing the outer clothing and generally flushing most contaminants from a victim; the initial phase of the decontamination process during which the amount of surface contaminant is significantly reduced

Back 12

Gross decontamination

Front 13

The process of flushing a large number of victims with water for rapid decontamination in the field when the contaminating agent is unknown.

Back 13

Mass decontamination

Front 14

A mode of decontamination that applies specifically to contaminated soil, which is taken away from the scene.

Back 14

Removal

Front 15

The process of chemically treating a hazardous liquid so as to turn it into a solid material, thereby making the material easier to handle.

Back 15

Solidification

Front 16

Performed after gross decontamination, this is a more thorough cleaning process. May involve several stations or steps with a decontamination team.

Back 16

Technical decontamination

Front 17

The process of cleaning up dusts, particles, and some liquids using a vacuum with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration to prevent recontamination of the environment

Back 17

Vacuuming