Abstract: A method for decontamination of steel components contaminated with radioactive material comprises the steps:(a) providing a mass of material including:(i) a proportion of steel carrying radioactive material; and(ii) a mass of slag forming material;(b) melting the mass of material, to provide a volume of molten steel and a volume of slag, the radioactive material originally present on the steel migrating to the slag; and(c) separating the slag from the molten steel. The mass of slag forming material is selected to provide a predetermined concentration of radioactive material in the slag. The concentration may be selected to be sufficiently dilute to allow disposal of the slag without restriction.