Radioactive Contamination/Spill

Actions to Take

For exposures

For events that create immediate danger to life/property or if an injury has already occurred:

  • Call 9-1-1 for help and askfor assistance from co-workers if available

For unexpected exposure to radiation:

  • Call EH&S at 827-5528 for instructions; Call 9-1-1 if it is after 5PM or a weekend/holiday

For ingestion of radioactive materials:

  • Call EH&S at 827-5528 for instructions; Call 9-1-1 if it is after 5PM or a weekend/holiday

For eye contamination:

  • Call 9-1-1 for help and ask for assistance from co-workers if available
  • Use eye wash for at least 15 minutes
  • Completely rinse entire eye area, including eyelid and skin underneath eye

For skin contamination:

  • Call EH&S at 827-5528 for decontamination instructions and a dose assessment; Call 9-1-1 if it is after 5PM or a weekend/holiday
  • Contain area of contamination by proper monitoring techniques
  • Wash area several times with soap and warm (not hot) water
  • Use a mildly abrasive soap, soft bristled brush or emery board if detectable contamination is still present
  • Resurvey the contaminated area after each decontamination
  • Repeat decontamination steps until survey results do not change or if skin is getting more irritated

For contaminated lab coat, clothing or shoes:

  • Remove contaminated items and check skin underneath for contamination
  • If skin is contaminated, follow instructions for skin contamination
  • Call EH&S at 827-5528 for instructions; Call 9-1-1 if it is after 5PM or a weekend/holiday

For spills

For radioactive liquid spills:

  • If you have been trained and have the proper materials, contain or clean up spill and call EH&S at 827-5528
  • If you have not been trained or can't contain the spill, call 9-1-1 for help

For airborne release of radioactive gas, dust, volatile liquid or rupture of a sealed source:

  • Call 9-1-1 for help
  • Do not attempt to decontaminate anything
  • Turn off fans and blowers and close all ventilation
  • Evacuate the area, closing and locking doors after leaving room(s)
  • Place warning signs that no one should enter room (s) on every access door
  • Any potentially contaminated people should move to a nearby secure area until monitoring can take place

For loss or theft of radioactive materials, sealed sources, or radiation producing machines:

  • Call 9-1-1 for help

Additional Information/Follow-up Activities