What is the process called for reducing surface contaminants from large numbers of people quickly?

The process for reducing surface contaminants from large numbers of people quickly is known as mass decontamination. This process is crucial during hazardous material incidents, particularly when there is a need to mitigate exposure to harmful substances or agents in a time-sensitive situation.

Mass decontamination typically employs various methods, such as setting up decontamination stations, using showers, or deploying creative solutions like portable decontamination units. The goal is to ensure that as many individuals as possible can be decontaminated efficiently and effectively, minimizing health risks associated with chemical, biological, or radiological agents.

Targeted decontamination focuses on specific individuals or items rather than a large group, and individual decontamination refers to one-on-one decontamination processes, which are more time-consuming and labor-intensive. Mechanical decontamination involves physical methods for removing contaminants, often used on equipment or materials rather than a group of people. In situations requiring rapid and broad-scale decontamination, mass decontamination is clearly the most appropriate and effective approach.