Which category does “dilution” fall under in containment strategies?

Dilution is classified under defensive containment strategies because it involves reducing the concentration of hazardous materials, typically to mitigate their impact on the environment or to minimize risk to people and property. In defensive containment, actions are taken to control or limit the spread of a hazardous substance while ensuring the safety of responders and the surrounding community.

The technique of dilution can be employed in scenarios where direct intervention might pose higher risks, allowing for a safer approach to handling potentially dangerous materials. By increasing the volume of a substance with an appropriate diluent, the overall hazard can be decreased, thus providing a means to manage the situation effectively while controlling exposure.

Defensive containment strategies, such as dilution, are crucial in emergency response situations where the primary objective is to protect life and property from the effects of hazardous materials, rather than to eliminate the threat outright, which is characteristic of offensive strategies.