Decontamination Procedures

Guidance on this page applies to events small enough to permit individualized evaluation and decontamination of each patient/victim.

Decontamination Procedure Safety and Security - Emergency Information

Upon finding the contamination using the proper contamination survey instrument for the isotope used (Geiger Counter or Sodium Iodide (NaI) detector, note the meter readings (measured in counts per minute CPM) and estimated size of area that is contaminated.

Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan

CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OSHA established a category of chemicals known as particularly hazardous substances for which special precautions may be required. Particularly hazardous substances include select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and substances with a high degree of acute toxicity.

Emergency Procedures for Radiation Accidents and Spills APPENDIX 2-B A. Equipment

1. If equipment is contaminated it should be washed with a suitable cleaning solution as determined by the contaminant and rinsed as a routine procedure. The use of acid on metal tools may unnecessarily corrode them causing greater difficulty in future decontamination procedures. If it is necessary to dismantle any equipment prior to decontamination procedures, careful survey should be made during the operation. Contaminated equipment shall not be released from the control of the laboratory for repair, or for any other purpose, until there is no detectable transferable contamination measurable with the survey meter. In many cases, if the items are cheap or easily replaced, it may be simpler to dispose of such equipment. Equipment that is contaminated with long-lived isotopes, and that cannot be satisfactorily decontaminated must be regarded as radioactive waste. Decay must be considered one of the best decontaminating agents for short-lived materials.

2. Glass and porcelain articles may be cleaned with detergents, mineral acids, ammonium citrate, trisodium phosphate, cleaning solution (chromic acid) or ammonium bifluoride. Metal objects may be decontaminated with detergents, dilute mineral acids (nitric), a 10% solution of sodium citrate, or ammonium bifluoride.

3. Where radioactive materials may be present, or where danger of personal contamination exists, workers involved in decontamination shall wear protective clothing; footwear, gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus as the circumstances dictate.

4. Where contamination of room air has occurred, thorough ventilation is required, with passage of air from uncontaminated areas through the contaminated areas to the out-of-doors. This should be done preferable by discharging the air into a hood that has a filtered exhaust system. More...

Program Courses:

Decontamination Procedures Safety Training Programs