Radiation Safety: Removal of Radioactive Material (Decontamination)

We are exposed to normal, low levels of background radiation on a daily basis. These levels of radiation are not likely to cause human health effects. If, however, a radiation emergency were to occur, there is a possibility that you may become contaminated with radioactive material.This could be harmful to your health.

In a radiation emergency, if you become contaminated (have radioactive material on your skin or inside of your body), decontamination is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Note: Radiation exposure differs from radiation contamination.For a person to be contaminated, radioactive material must be on or inside of his or her body. A person exposed to radiation is not necessarily contaminated with radioactive material. X-rays are an example of radiation exposure.

For more information on radiation exposure versus radiation contamination, click here

What is decontamination?

Contamination is a word used to describe unwanted radioactive materials on or inside the human body.

Removing radioactive material from a person, object, or place is called decontamination. It is important to remove radioactive material from your body as soon as possible to lower your risk of harm and reduce the chance of spreading contamination to others.

External Decontamination: Removing radioactive materials on your skin, hair, or clothing

You can remove radioactive materials that are on the body of others or you can remove radioactive materials if they are on your body (self-decontamination).

For more information on decontaminating yourself (self-decontamination), click here

For more information on decontaminating others, click here

For more information on decontaminating your pets, click here

Internal Decontamination: Removing radioactive materials you swallow or inhale

Internal contamination occurs when people swallow or breathe in radioactive materials, or when radioactive materials enter the body through an open wound or are absorbed through the skin. In certain situations, radioactive materials can be removed from inside your body through the use of special medical treatments under the supervision of medical providers

For more information on these medical treatments, click here