The ability of a material to be completely sterile from organisms and/or VOCs. Mitigation Note In the mitigation of flooded buildings zero contamination or zero risk cannot exist. Once buildings or surfaces have been decontaminated acceptable risk extends to the removal of harmful pollutants and repair of damaged building materials. Some contamination risks require the replacement of damaged building materials and carpet with new materials because of unacceptable levels of risk and increased liability.

In hazardous materials management it is the restriction of certain areas as zones which certain tasks are to be preformed. Mitigation Note In hazardous environments mitigation there will be a restriction zone an egress zone a safety zone a contamination zone and a hot zone.