Decontamination Chamber

A decon chamber.

The decontamination chamber (or decon chamber) is an enclosed compartment for the elimination of harmful substances and organisms from the body. Early starships had a decon chamber for use upon return to the ship from a planet or alien spacecraft. The chamber was lit with ultraviolet light and featured small compartments labeled alphabetically for the transfer of decon-gel. A stay in the decon chamber appeared to be a pleasurable experience much like being in a sauna.

Decontamination on modern starships is integrated into the transporter process and shipboard ventilation systems. Harmful biological substances are removed during transport by the device's biofilter. Decontamination is generally only effective against known hazards.