Some kinds of chemical accidents or attacks may cause you to come in contact with dangerous chemicals. Coming in contact with a dangerous chemical may make it necessary for you to remove and dispose of your clothing right away and then wash yourself. Removing your clothing and washing your body will reduce or remove the chemical so that it is no longer a hazard. This process is called decontamination.
People are decontaminated for two primary reasons:
- to prevent the chemical from being further absorbed by their body or from spreading on their body, and
- to prevent the chemical from spreading to other people, including medical personnel, who must handle or who might come in contact with the person who is contaminated with the chemical.
People are decontaminated for two primary reasons:
- to prevent the chemical from being further absorbed by their body or from spreading on their body, and
- to prevent the chemical from spreading to other people, including medical personnel, who must handle or who might come in contact with the person who is contaminated with the chemical.
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Last Updated: Sep 2009
Last Updated: Sep 2009
What is Decontamination?
Most chemical agents can penetrate clothing and are absorbed rapidly through the skin. Therefore, the most important and most effective decontamination for any chemical exposure is decontamination done within the first minute or two after exposure.
How to know if you need to wash yourself and dispose of your clothing
In most cases, emergency coordinators will let you know if a dangerous chemical has been released and will tell you what to do.
In general, exposure to a chemical in its liquid or solid form will require you to remove your clothing and then thoroughly wash your exposed skin. Exposure to a chemical in its vapor (gas) form generally requires you only to remove your clothing and the source of the toxic vapor.
If you think you have been exposed to a chemical release, but you have not heard from emergency coordinators, you can follow the washing and clothing disposal advice in the next section.
How to know if you need to wash yourself and dispose of your clothing
In most cases, emergency coordinators will let you know if a dangerous chemical has been released and will tell you what to do.
In general, exposure to a chemical in its liquid or solid form will require you to remove your clothing and then thoroughly wash your exposed skin. Exposure to a chemical in its vapor (gas) form generally requires you only to remove your clothing and the source of the toxic vapor.
If you think you have been exposed to a chemical release, but you have not heard from emergency coordinators, you can follow the washing and clothing disposal advice in the next section.
