sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
For Everyone
April 15, 2024
How to Self-Decontaminate after a Radiation Emergency
What to know
It is important to get radioactive material off your body as soon as possible to lower your risk of harm. Removing radioactive material from a person, object, or place is called decontamination. Decontaminating yourself will lower your exposure to harmful radioactive material.
Tap water may be contaminated
If the tap water is contaminated, public health officials may recommend that you drink bottled water instead of tap water.
You can still use tap water for decontamination. Any radioactive material that gets into surface or ground water sources will be diluted when it mixes with clean water and the level of radioactive contamination will be reduced to very low levels. The tap water will be safe to use for washing
Remove outer clothing
Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag far away from other people and pets.
Wash yourself
If you can't take a shower
At a sink or faucet, wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were not covered.
If you don't have access to a sink of faucet, use a moist wipe, a clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.
If you can take a shower
Take a warm shower and gently wash yourself with lots of soap.
Low Resolution Video
Resources
Infographic: Decontamination for Yourself and Others
How to Decontaminate Pets
https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-emergencies/prevention/self-decontaminate.html
April 15, 2024
How to Self-Decontaminate after a Radiation Emergency
What to know
It is important to get radioactive material off your body as soon as possible to lower your risk of harm. Removing radioactive material from a person, object, or place is called decontamination. Decontaminating yourself will lower your exposure to harmful radioactive material.
Tap water may be contaminated
If the tap water is contaminated, public health officials may recommend that you drink bottled water instead of tap water.
You can still use tap water for decontamination. Any radioactive material that gets into surface or ground water sources will be diluted when it mixes with clean water and the level of radioactive contamination will be reduced to very low levels. The tap water will be safe to use for washing
- Skin
- Hair
- Clothing
Remove outer clothing
- Take off your outer layer of clothing. Taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
- Be very careful in removing your clothing to prevent inhaling radioactive dust released from shaking.
- Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag far away from other people and pets.
Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag far away from other people and pets.
Wash yourself
If you can't take a shower
- At a sink or faucet, wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were not covered. Use soap and plenty of water.
At a sink or faucet, wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were not covered.
- If you do not have access to a sink or faucet, use:
- A moist wipe
- A clean wet cloth
- A damp paper towel
- Pay special attention to your hands and face.
- Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyelids, eyelashes, and ears with a moist wipe, a clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.
- Put the used wipes, cloth, or towel in a plastic bag or other sealable container. Place the bag in a place far away from other people and pets.
If you don't have access to a sink of faucet, use a moist wipe, a clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.
If you can take a shower
- Take a warm shower and gently wash yourself with lots of soap. Do not scald, scrub, or scratch your skin.
- Wash your hair with shampoo or soap.
- Keep cuts and abrasions covered when washing to stop radioactive material from getting in open wounds.
Take a warm shower and gently wash yourself with lots of soap.
Low Resolution Video
Resources
Infographic: Decontamination for Yourself and Others
How to Decontaminate Pets
https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-emergencies/prevention/self-decontaminate.html