Final answer:
Shower decontamination is the procedure involving washing down an individual to remove contaminants, often employed in healthcare and hazardous materials settings. Degerming and sanitization are related concepts that also aim to reduce microbial presence to prevent disease transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decontamination procedure that includes washing down an individual with either handheld hose-line or a water spray through which people walk through is commonly referred to as shower decontamination. This process is vital for the removal of contaminants from the skin and is used in various settings, including healthcare and hazardous materials handling. Degerming is an example of this process, where the skin is gently scrubbed to significantly reduce microbial numbers, employing mild chemicals like soap to prevent the transmission of pathogens. In more thorough practices, such as surgical scrubbing, the aim is to reduce the normal microbiota on the skin's surface to minimize the risk of introducing microbes into surgical wounds.
Decontamination can also involve the use of detergents or specific solutions, such as a 1 N NaOH or a 1:10 dilution of bleach, to wash the skin after potential contact with hazardous substances. Additionally, sanitization plays a crucial role in public health by achieving microbe levels safe for public environments, utilizing methods such as high-temperature washing and the application of chemical disinfectants on surfaces and equipment.