Gloves and protective clothing must be worn when decontaminating an area. Generally, glassware and counter tops can be decontaminated by repeated washings. Continue to clean the area until contamination is removed. If contamination cannot be removed, contact the radiation safety office for further instruction. External contamination results in local skin exposure.
Radioactive materials can penetrate intact skin, especially when organic solvents are present.
Contamination may be digested or inhaled and may be spread to other areas or personnel. Therefore, it is most critical to remove loose contamination as quickly and safely as possible. In general, except for decontamination of hands, all procedures must be supervised by the radiation safety officer. If unsuccessful, await for physician's orders. Any wound acquired in the presence of open radionuclides must be considered contaminated until proven otherwise.