In decontamination, what is the primary goal of using brushes?

The primary goal of using brushes in decontamination is to physically scrub contaminants away from surfaces. Brushes are designed to provide mechanical action that can dislodge and remove hazardous substances from the surfaces they adhere to, such as skin, equipment, or contaminated materials. This scrubbing action is essential because many contaminants can be stubborn and may not easily wash away with just liquids or chemicals.

Physical scrubbing is particularly effective for particulate matter or crusted soils that may need more than just a rinse or wash to be completely removed. Additionally, wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) helps ensure that the decontamination process does not expose responders to the contaminants they are trying to remove.