April 15, 2024

How to Self-Decontaminate after a Radiation Emergency

It is important to get radioactive material off your body as soon as possible to lower your risk of harm. Removing radioactive material from a person, object, or place is called decontamination. Decontaminating yourself will lower your exposure to harmful radioactive material.

Graphic of a person taking a shower to decontaminate from radiation contamination

Tap water may be contaminated

If the tap water is contaminated, public health officials may recommend that you drink bottled water instead of tap water.

You can still use tap water for decontamination. Any radioactive material that gets into surface or ground water sources will be diluted when it mixes with clean water and the level of radioactive contamination will be reduced to very low levels. The tap water will be safe to use for washing

Skin
Hair
Clothing

Steps for decontamination

Remove outer clothing

Take off your outer layer of clothing. Taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
Be very careful in removing your clothing to prevent inhaling radioactive dust released from shaking.
Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag far away from other people and pets.

vector graphic of radioactive contaminated clothing in a sealable container — Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container and put the bag far away from other people and pets.

Wash yourself

If you can't take a shower

At a sink or faucet, wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were not covered. Use soap and plenty of water.

vector graphic of a person washing his hands and face over the sink — At a sink or faucet, wash your hands, face, and parts of your body that were not covered.

If you do not have access to a sink or faucet, use:
- A moist wipe
- A clean wet cloth
- A damp paper towel
Pay special attention to your hands and face.
Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyelids, eyelashes, and ears with a moist wipe, a clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.
Put the used wipes, cloth, or towel in a plastic bag or other sealable container. Place the bag in a place far away from other people and pets.

vector graphic of a person wiping his hands and face with a moist towel — If you don't have access to a sink of faucet, use a moist wipe, a clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel.

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.
Wash your hair with shampoo or soap.
Keep cuts and abrasions covered when washing to stop radioactive material from getting in open wounds.