For decontamination of clothing and equipment, what is the correct bleach concentration?

The correct concentration for decontaminating clothing and equipment with bleach is 5% bleach. This concentration is effective for disinfecting surfaces and neutralizing potential biological contaminants without causing excessive damage to most fabrics and materials. In a biological decontamination scenario, it's important to strike a balance between efficacy in killing pathogens and the potential for material degradation.

A 5% bleach solution provides a strong enough concentration to achieve effective microbial kill, particularly for resistant pathogens, while being manageable for use in various scenarios. Higher concentrations, such as 10%, can be too harsh on fabrics and equipment, leading to deterioration, while lower concentrations like 1% or 3% might not provide adequate disinfection capabilities. This is why a 5% bleach solution is the recommended and effective choice for decontamination in these situations.