C. PERSONNEL DECONTAMINATION

If personnel contamination is suspected, first identify contaminated areas with survey meter. Do

not use decontamination methods which will spread localized material or increase penetration of

the contaminant into the body (e.g., by abrasion of the skin).

Wound Decontamination:

a. A physician should supervise decontamination of wounds.

b. Irrigate wounds profusely with tepid water, gently clean with swab.

c. Gently scrub with soap or detergent. Do not use highly alkaline soaps or organic solvents that may result in fixation or penetration of contaminant.

Intact Skin:

a. Wet hands and apply detergent.

b. Work up good lather, keep lather wet.

c. Work lather into contaminated area by rubbing gently for at least 3 minutes. Apply water frequently.

d. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water (limiting water to contaminated areas).

e. Repeat above procedures several times, gently scrubbing residual contaminated areas

with a soft brush, if necessary.

f. If the radiation level is still excessive, initiate more powerful decontamination

procedures after consultation with the radiation safety officer.

g. Cutting fingernails may also reduce measured contamination

DECONTAMINATION INCIDENT REPORT

Type of Spill: Liquid Date: _______________________

Solid

Gas

Radionuclide ________________

A. Personnel Decontamination Required: Yes No

1. Initial Personnel Survey Reading: ______________mR/hr ______________cpm/dpm

Corrective Actions:

B. Personnel Survey Reading After Decontamination: ______mR/hr ______cpm/dpm

Time span _____ min.

1. Surface Decontamination Required: Yes No

2. Location: Floor Surface Type: Rough

Wall Smooth

Countertop

Equipment Respirator Required: Yes No

Glassware

3. Action Level: GM survey – 0.5mR/hr.; wipe test – 2 x background

Initial GM Survey Reading: ____________mR/hr. Background: ___________mR/hr.

Initial Contamination Smear: ___________cpm/dpm Background: ___________cpm/dpm

4. Decontamination Attempt #1 Describe Action

GM Survey: ______________mR/hr. Smear Survey: ______________cpm/dpm

5. Decontamination Attempt #2 Describe Action:

GM Survey: ______________mR/hr. Smear Survey: ______________cpm/dpm

6. Decontamination Attempt #3 Describe Action:

GM Survey: ______________mR/hr. Smear Survey: ______________cpm/dpm

7. If disposal by sewage: Sink Trap Survey ______________mR/hr

8. Comments:

C. Instruments Used:

Survey Meter: Pulse Height Analyzer:

Model No.: Model No.:

Serial No.: Serial No.:

Calibration Date: Calibration Date:

D. Individual Performing Surveys and Wipes: __________________________________

Signature Radiation Safety Officer

PERSONAL DECONTAMINATION

Method*	Surface	Action	Technique	Advantages	Disadvantages
Soap and water.	Skin and hands.	Emulsifies and dissolves contaminate.	Wash 2-3 minutes and monitor. Do not wash more than 3-4 times.	Readily available and effective for most radioactive contamination.	Continued washing will defat the skin. Indiscriminate washing of other than affected parts may spread contamination.
Soap and water.	Hair.	Same as above.	Wash several times. If contamination is not lowered to acceptable levels, shave the head and apply skin decontamination methods	N/A	N/A
Lava soap, soft brush, and water.	Skin and hands.	Emulsifies, dissolves, and erodes.	Use light pressure with heavy lather. Wash for 2 minutes, 3 times. Rinse and monitor. Use care not to scratch or erode the skin. Apply lanolin or hand cream to prevent chapping.	Same as above.	Continued washing will abrade the skin.
Tide or other detergent (plain).	Same as above.	Same as above.	Make into a paste. Use with additional water with a mild scrubbing action. Use care not to erode the skin.	Slightly more effective than washing with soap.	Will defat and abrade skin and must be used with care.

*Begin with the first listed method and then proceed step by step to the more severe methods, as necessary.

Reference: Radiological Health Handbook, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Rockdale, MD,

January, 1970.