Decontamination consists of either physically removing the contaminants or changing them to harmless substances. True or False?

Decontamination is an essential aspect of managing hazardous materials and ensuring safety in environments where these substances may pose a risk to health and the environment. The statement is accurate because decontamination indeed involves two primary methods: physically removing contaminants from surfaces or individuals and chemically transforming those contaminants into harmless substances.

Physical removal can include processes such as washing, scrubbing, or vacuuming to get rid of hazardous materials. This method is particularly effective for solid contaminants or those that can be easily dissolved or displaced from surfaces. On the other hand, changing contaminants into harmless substances often involves chemical processes, such as neutralization, oxidation, or biodegradation, which render the hazardous materials safe for disposal or elimination.

Understanding these methods is critical for workers involved in HAZWOPER operations, as they must know how to effectively and safely decontaminate themselves and the environment after exposure to hazardous materials.