Which of the following best defines the process of decontamination?

The process of decontamination is best defined as the reduction of harmful substances from personnel and equipment. Decontamination involves a series of procedures specifically aimed at cleaning and removing hazardous materials that may pose a risk to health and safety. This process is critical in emergency response situations involving hazardous materials, as it helps to mitigate exposure and potential harm to individuals and the surrounding environment.

In contrast, the identification of hazardous materials is an important initial step in emergency response but does not encompass the actions taken during decontamination. The complete removal of all toxins from the environment is often an unrealistic goal, as complete removal can be extremely challenging or impossible in many scenarios. Lastly, while the isolation of contaminated areas is a necessary action to prevent further exposure or spread of hazardous substances, it does not address the actual cleaning or reduction of those substances, which is the essence of decontamination.