Patent Number: 046541705
Section: claims

1. A method of decontaminating metal surfaces having an inorganic coating thereon which contains radioactive substances and spinel-like chromium oxides comprising: (A) passing over said coating a decontamination solution which comprises  (B) passing over said coating a composition heated to about 50.degree. to about 120.degree. C., said composition consisting essentially of  (C) passing said decontamination solution over said coating. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hypohalite is selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium hypobromite, hypochlorite, hypoiodite, and mixtures thereof. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hypohalite is sodium hypobromite. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of said alkali metal hypohalite is about 0.1 to about 2%. 5. A method according to claim 1 including the additional last steps of repeating steps (A) and (B). 6. A method according to claim 1 including the additional steps of rinsing said coating with water after steps (A) and (B). 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said chelate is nitrilotriacetic acid.