What does "emergency decontamination" aim to address?

Emergency decontamination aims to quickly remove hazardous substances from individuals to prevent harm. In situations involving hazardous materials, time is often a critical factor, and prompt decontamination can significantly reduce the risk of exposure and health effects. The process typically occurs at the site of an incident, where individuals potentially contaminated by hazardous substances need immediate action to minimize their risk.

The focus on speed is crucial because prolonged exposure to hazardous materials can lead to more severe health complications. By efficiently removing contaminants, emergency decontamination helps safeguard the health of first responders and victims, making it an essential component of any hazmat incident response.

While the other options relate to important aspects of managing hazardous materials, they do not address the immediate need for rapid action in emergency situations. Improving air quality, sanitizing equipment, and eliminating fire hazards are all important in their own contexts but do not specifically encompass the urgent nature and primary goal of emergency decontamination.