Decontamination

External contamination occurs when radioactive material, in the form of dust, powder, or liquid, comes into contact with a person’s skin, hair, or clothing. In other words, the contact is external to a person’s body. People who are externally contaminated can become internally contaminated if radioactive material then gets into their bodies. ((ref)

People who are externally contaminated with radioactive material can contaminate other people or surfaces that they touch. For example, people who have radioactive dust on their clothing may spread the radioactive dust when they sit in chairs or hug other people.

In small amounts this is unlikely to be harmful but high levels on the skin can lead to burning and there is the possibility of ingesting some of the activity which multiplies the potential harm. It is therefore important to get radioactive material off your body and prevent it spreading through your home as soon as possible, if only for reassurance.
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Self decontamination at home

Removing radioactive material from a person, object, or place is called '''decontamination'''. Decontaminating yourself will lower your exposure to harmful radioactive material. If it is likely that the level on contamination on you is low and if a large number of people with higher levels have presented at a monitoring/decontamination facility you may be encouraged to go home and self-decontaminate.

It is helpful to think of the contamination as dirt you don't want on yourself and don't want in your house. Consider how you would behave if you arrived home very muddy or dusty shortly after having a new, expensive and very white carpet fitted.

You can use tap water for decontamination even if you have been advised not to drink it for the time being. Any radioactive material that gets into surface water or ground water sources will be diluted to very low levels by the water and will be safe to use for washing skin, hair, and clothing.

Remove outer layer of clothing.

Removing outer clothes (ideally outside, in a room you don't need to use or in an infrequently used corner of the room) generally removes a large fraction of contamination (90% is claimed). Be careful to prevent radioactive dust from shaking loose. Try to turn the clothes side-out as you remove them to trap any loose contamination inside.

Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag in an out-of-the-way place, away from other people and pets.

Wash yourself off if you can’t take a shower

Wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were uncovered at a sink. Use soap and plenty of water. If you do not have access to a sink, use a moist wipe, clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel to wipe the parts of your body that were uncovered. Pay special attention to your hands and face.

Gently blow your nose, wipe your eyelids, eyelashes, and ears with a moist wipe, clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.

Put the used wipes, cloth or towel in a plastic bag or other sealable container and place the bag in an out-of-the-way place, away from other people and pets.

Wash yourself off 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. Your skin helps protect the inside of your body from radioactive material.

Wash your hair with shampoo or soap. Do not use conditioner because it will cause radioactive material to stick to your hair.

Keep cuts and abrasions covered when washing to keep from getting radioactive material in open wounds.

Put on clean clothes

Clothes in a cupboard or draw away from radioactive material are safe to wear.

If you do not have clean clothes, take off your outer layer of clothing, shake or brush off your clothes taking care to cover your nose and mouth, and put your clothes back on.

Decontaminating children

If you have infants, small children, or others who may need help washing, wash yourself first.

Wear waterproof gloves and a dust mask (or other material to cover your mouth) if you can.

Keep cuts and scrapes (both yours and those you are helping) covered when washing to keep radioactive material out of the wound.

Wash your hands and face after providing help.

Pets

If you are instructed to stay inside during a radiation emergency, pets should be inside too.

If your pet was outside, bring your pet inside.

Wash your pet carefully with shampoo or soap and water and rinse completely.

Wear waterproof gloves and a dust mask (or other material to cover your mouth) if you can.

Keep cuts and abrasions (both yours and your pets) covered when washing your pet to keep radioactive material out of the wound.

Wash your hands and face after washing your pet.

Pet food in sealed containers (cans, bottles, boxes) will be safe for animals to eat. Put the used cloth or towel in a plastic bag or other sealable container and place the bag in an out-of-the-way place, away from other people and pets.

For pet sanitation, put newspapers or other absorbent material in your pet’s area so your pet can relieve itself indoors. Do not touch soiled material with your bare hands. Place soiled material into a plastic bag or other sealable container. Place the bag in an out-of-the-way place, away from other people and pets.
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Cutaneous Radiation Injury

Cutaneous Radiation Injury (CRI) happens when exposure to a large dose of radiation causes injury to the skin. A doctor will suspect the presence of a CRI when a skin burn develops on a person who was not exposed to a source of heat, electrical current, or chemicals. Symptoms of CRI

Symptoms of CRI can appear from a few hours to several days after exposure.
The early signs and symptoms of CRI include:

Itchiness;
Tingling;
Skin redness (erythema);
Swelling caused by a buildup of fluid (edema);

Over time, other symptoms may develop depending on the site of the injury and the level of radiation dose to which the skin was exposed.