What is the lowest level of decontamination?

Sanitation is the lowest level of decontamination because it involves the reduction of pathogens and the creation of a clean and safe environment through basic cleaning practices. This process typically includes the use of soap and water or other cleaning products to remove dirt, debris, and some microorganisms from surfaces and tools, making them safer for use but not necessarily free from all pathogens.

In the hierarchy of decontamination, cleaning precedes sanitation, and while both terms refer to methods of reducing contaminants, sanitation aims to lower the levels of pathogens to a safer range for public health standards. Disinfection, which follows sanitation, involves the application of chemicals to destroy or deactivate specific microorganisms on surfaces, and sterilization represents the highest level of decontamination where all forms of viable microorganisms are eliminated. Therefore, sanitation is an essential first step in a thorough decontamination protocol, especially in settings like nail salons where hygiene is critical.