Which decontamination method is recommended for cleaning highly porous surfaces?

Which decontamination method is recommended for cleaning highly porous surfaces?

• A. Damp wiping
• B. High-pressure washing
• C. Chemical spraying
• D. Vacuuming

Answer: (A)

Damp wiping is the recommended decontamination method for cleaning highly porous surfaces because it allows for the effective removal of contaminants without driving them deeper into the material. Highly porous surfaces, such as fabrics, carpets, or textured walls, can trap particles within their fibrous structure. The damp wiping technique utilizes a moist cloth or sponge, which can lift and remove contaminants while minimizing the risk of dispersing them into the air or embedding them further into the material. Other methods such as high-pressure washing, while effective in some scenarios, might damage the surface or force contaminants deeper into porous materials. Chemical spraying typically involves applying a liquid chemical agent over a surface, which can be effective for certain non-porous surfaces but may not be absorbed well by porous materials and could lead to further contamination if not cleaned properly. Vacuuming can remove loose surface debris but often is not as effective in extracting contaminants that have penetrated into the depths of porous material. Thus, damp wiping emerges as the most suitable method for ensuring thorough decontamination in these scenarios.

Damp wiping is the recommended decontamination method for cleaning highly porous surfaces because it allows for the effective removal of contaminants without driving them deeper into the material. Highly porous surfaces, such as fabrics, carpets, or textured walls, can trap particles within their fibrous structure. The damp wiping technique utilizes a moist cloth or sponge, which can lift and remove contaminants while minimizing the risk of dispersing them into the air or embedding them further into the material.

Other methods such as high-pressure washing, while effective in some scenarios, might damage the surface or force contaminants deeper into porous materials. Chemical spraying typically involves applying a liquid chemical agent over a surface, which can be effective for certain non-porous surfaces but may not be absorbed well by porous materials and could lead to further contamination if not cleaned properly. Vacuuming can remove loose surface debris but often is not as effective in extracting contaminants that have penetrated into the depths of porous material. Thus, damp wiping emerges as the most suitable method for ensuring thorough decontamination in these scenarios.