Removal of radioactive substances from processed objects is called. Decontamination is the removal of radioactive substances from contaminated objects, which eliminates harm to people and ensures their safety

They are breakdown products of some chemical elements. They not only have a harmful effect on the human body, but also leave their mark in the atmosphere for many years. A striking example of radioactive decay is the explosion of a nuclear power plant at Chernobyl. Despite the long-standing history of the incident, the environment near this city still suffers. Due to exposure to radioactive particles, children are born with developmental abnormalities, and many people become infected with radiation sickness. In order to avoid dire consequences, it is necessary to carry out decontamination. It can be produced in all environments (air, water), on the surfaces of objects, on the human body, etc.

Decontamination - what is it?

WITH Latin language the word is translated as “inaction.” And yet, many people still don’t understand what decontamination is. The term is used in many areas, however, it is directly related to radioactive substances. So what does this word mean? Decontamination is the process of cleaning something off. Harmful particles can settle anywhere. Usually they fall on the surface of water, trees, houses, skin, etc. The main place where radiation accumulates is the air, through which the molecules are transferred to everything else. Based on this, decontamination is disinfection environment. In addition to radioactive substances, air pollutants may also include chemical elements harmful to health, such as mercury.

Decontamination methods

The disinfection process can be carried out in various ways.

The first method involves mechanical removal of harmful substances. It is simpler and more accessible. Mechanical decontamination is carried out using improvised means, most often at home. Thanks to this method, it is possible to remove radioactive particles from the surfaces of household items, walls, windows, floors, vehicles, etc. Despite the fact that this method is used more often, it is not always safe to use. Mechanical decontamination should be carried out with extreme caution, while spending as little time as possible. This is due to the fact that a person comes into direct contact with harmful substances, which are dangerous not only when they come into contact with the skin, but even in the air that is filled with them.

The second method is physicochemical decontamination. It is carried out in the same way as in the first case, but has a slight difference. During this procedure, special solutions are used to remove harmful particles faster and more efficiently.

What is needed to carry out decontamination?

To carry out environmental disinfection, special equipment is needed. Decontamination agents are selected depending on its type. With the mechanical method, items necessary for cleaning the house are used to remove harmful particles. You can clean the surface of furniture, floors and walls using a vacuum cleaner, rags, broom, various brushes and sponges. Running water is used to remove harmful substances from clothing. When carrying out physico-chemical decontamination, powders, table salt, oxalic or sulfuric acid, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other disinfecting solutions are used. It should be remembered that, regardless of what harmful substance has entered the environment, it must be decontaminated in special clothing. You should wear strong rubber gloves on your hands and a gas mask or respirator on your face. If this is not available, you must wear several layers. You need to put on a special overall or robe over your clothes. Rubber boots will also come in handy.

What is decontamination of radioactive substances?

The most common harmful particles are the breakdown products of chemical elements. They have a detrimental effect on the body due to the fact that they have the ability to These substances can exist in the atmosphere for many years, while their damaging effect persists. Timely and high-quality decontamination of radiation is necessary in order to avoid radiation sickness. It must be remembered that it will not be possible to ensure complete cleaning in a short time, so first of all it is necessary to evacuate people in the danger zone. If a significant part of the environment is irradiated, a specialized team is sent to the affected area to carry out decontamination. Items that have been exposed to radioactive particles can be cleaned in any way, but to improve quality, it is recommended to use both mechanical and physical disinfection. To remove them from the air, ventilation through windows, doors, vents, and installation of special filters is required.

Water disinfection

The contact of harmful agents on the surface of a liquid can occur primarily or secondarily. If the water was initially contaminated, then the distribution of radioactive substances in it is uneven, so it is necessary to determine their level in several places. Secondary penetration of harmful agents occurs from the air, in this case the harmful agents are located on the entire surface. Decontamination of water is carried out using sedimentation, distillation, filtration and coagulation. The first method is the simplest, but allows you to remove only insoluble substances. When coagulating with clay, phosphates or soda ash, subsequent settling will be more productive. Significant purification can be achieved by filtering water using sand, gravel or soil. The highest quality method is distillation, which is carried out through This method allows you to completely purify water from harmful particles.

Mercury disinfection

Has many harmful properties chemical substances. Mercury is one of the most common infectious agents, as it is present in almost every home. It is used in medical devices such as a thermometer or blood pressure monitor (rarely nowadays). If an item containing mercury breaks, you must immediately collect and remove the harmful particles. It should be remembered that sweeping or washing it off with a rag is prohibited, as it will be crushed into smaller balls. Decontamination of mercury requires collecting it with a brush on white paper, and then placing it in an airtight container. The surface on which the substance was placed must be washed with a solution of potassium permanganate and of hydrochloric acid. After this, the room is ventilated. It is best to call decontamination specialists.

How to remove harmful substances from the skin?

Everyone should have an idea of ​​what skin decontamination is and how to carry it out. If toxic substances come into contact with exposed areas (hands, face), disinfection must be carried out no later than 6 hours later. To do this, use soap, a hard sponge or brush under high pressure. Do not use alcohol solutions, as they will only worsen the situation. Hair and mucous membranes of the mouth must be rinsed with a solution of citric acid. Rinse eyes from the inner corner to the outer.

What are the dangers of untimely decontamination?

If harmful substances come into contact with any environmental objects, they must be immediately disinfected. The absence or delay of decontamination leads to serious consequences for the body. Radioactive particles cause a condition from which a complete cure is still impossible. Besides, harmful substances may affect the health of the offspring. The evaporation of mercury is also toxic to the body, it leads to damage to all organs and systems. For these reasons, timely decontamination is extremely important.

To carry out decontamination work, you can use substances that can increase the efficiency of removing radioactive substances from various contaminated surfaces. These substances include surface-active detergents (surfactants) and preparations, complexing agents, waste from industrial enterprises (having a detergent effect), organic solvents, sorbents, and ion-exchange materials.

Various technical means are also used to carry out decontamination work. These include special instruments and machines, as well as some types of national economic equipment suitable for these purposes.

Fig.9 DKV SET is intended for decontamination, degassing and disinfection of weapons and equipment by their crews (crews)

1. Decontamination substances and solutions

Surfactants (surfactants). Most often, aqueous solutions of detergents are used for decontamination, these include ordinary soap, Gardinol, sulfonol, “Petrova Contact”, preparations OP-7, OP-10 And etc.

Complexing agents. These substances significantly increase the decontamination ability of surfactant solutions, forming complex compounds with many metals that are part of the products of a nuclear explosion that are quite soluble V water. When these compounds occur, the binding forces of radionuclides with the surface are weakened, as a result of which they are easily removed from the contaminated surface. Complexing substances include sodium phosphates, oxalic, citric, tartaric acids, their salts, and many other compounds.

Industrial waste. In various industries there are wastes and solutions containing surfactants. The waste may contain fatty acids, sulfonol, OP-7, various oils and other substances.

Organic solvents. To decontaminate machinery and industrial equipment, various organic solvents can be used: dichloroethane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc. Radioactive substances are washed off with rags, brushes and brushes soaked in solvents. In this case, the consumption of solvents is 1-2 l/m 2.

Sorbents and ion exchangers. When radioactive dust gets into open bodies of water, the contamination of water is determined by the presence in it of insoluble suspended radioactive particles and radionuclides (up to 5%), which dissolve in water. Insoluble radioactive particles can be easily removed from water by conventional filtration.

The situation is more complicated with the removal of dissolved radionuclides, since in this case, in the process of water decontamination, it is necessary to use substances that can retain radioactive products as a result of sorption or ion exchange. Such substances are called sorbents and ion exchangers.

One of the common sorbents is carboferrogel,

which is a specially processed fine-grained activated carbon. Typically, in filters designed for water purification, the first layer is a layer of sorbent, followed by an even layer of ion exchanger. One of the available ion exchangers is sulfonated carbon, i.e. coal treated with sulfuric acid.

Table No. 2 shows the substances and solutions most used for decontamination.

Table No. 2

Substances and solutions used for decontamination of various surfaces

Continuation of table No. 2

Decontamination is the removal of radioactive substances from contaminated objects, which eliminates harm to people and ensures their safety.

Objects of decontamination can be residential and industrial buildings, sites, territories, equipment, transport and machinery, clothing, household items, food. The ultimate goal of decontamination is to ensure the safety of people, eliminate or reduce harmful effects ionizing radiation on the human body.

When carrying out decontamination measures, a strictly differentiated approach is required to determine the objects that should be decontaminated first, highlighting those that are most important for the life of people (especially with limited forces and means).

Available decontamination methods can be divided into liquid and liquid-free.

Physico-chemical method - removal of radioactive substances with a stream of water or steam, or as a result physical and chemical processes between liquid medium and radioactive substances.

The effectiveness of the liquid method depends on the flow and pressure of water, the distance to the surface to be treated and the additives that are used. For example, the highest decontamination coefficient is achieved when the jet is directed at an angle of 30-45°C to the surface being treated.

To reduce the consumption of water or decontamination solutions, it is advisable to use brushes.

When carrying out work, they strive to use substances that can increase the efficiency of removing radioactive particles. These include surfactant detergents, industrial wastes containing alkalis, substances with oxidative-chlorinating effects, as well as organic solvents, sorbents, and ion-exchange materials.

Surfactants added to it significantly increase the washing ability of water (for example, ordinary soap, preparations OP-7 and OP-10). Their addition of 0.1-0.5% promotes the separation and release of radioactive particles into the decontamination solution.

Preparations OP-7 and OP-10 are widely used in industry as wetting agents and emulsifiers. How to use them and how component decontamination solutions for treating structures, equipment, machinery, clothing and personal protective equipment.

Organic solvents include gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel. They are recommended to decontaminate mainly metal surfaces (machines, machines, machinery, equipment, vehicles). In this case, the radioactive substances are washed off with rags, brushes, brushes dipped in solvents.

Mechanical method - mechanical removal of radioactive substances: sweeping, suction, blowing, removing the infected layer.

Dust suppression on the ground and roads was an important component of the work to eliminate radioactive (chemical) contamination. The main materials used for suppression can be divided into two groups.

The first group is hydroscopic salts, capable of absorbing large quantities of water and moisture from the air and forming viscous compounds. These are calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride (potassium), calcium, potassium, and sodium sulfates.

The second group is binding materials, long time maintaining a viscous adhesive state (sulfate-alcohol stillage, sulfate-cellulose liquor, oil sludge).

Complex decontamination involves treating the same object in different ways. Thus, equipment and premises were disinfected first with vacuum cleaners and then with decontamination solutions. The same sequence was observed when decontaminating polymer floors of premises after local emergency radioactive contamination with a powdered preparation.

In conditions of mass pollution, the need for multiple cleaning may arise due to multiple secondary contamination of the same objects and the insufficient efficiency of one-time treatment.

Decontamination of the territory

Before starting decontamination work, it is necessary to conduct a reconnaissance of the area and determine the degree of contamination of the surfaces of various structures (each separately), soil, vegetation, water sources, etc. Based on the data obtained, a list of roads, buildings and other objects that are (and are not) subject to decontamination is determined, as well as the volume of work to be done.

Then calculations are carried out to determine the forces and means required to carry out the work within the established time frame in accordance with current regulatory documents.

Determine routes for the removal of contaminated soil, vegetation and other materials and routes for the supply of water and decontaminating substances and solutions.

The most acceptable methods of decontamination of populated areas:

• - mechanical cleaning of surfaces with a grinding tool;
• - cutting off the soil layer to a depth of 10-15 cm and replacing it with a new one;
• - treatment of external and internal surfaces of buildings and structures aqueous solutions detergents and water;
• - cleaning surfaces from dust with vacuum cleaners;
• - shielding of contaminated surfaces with clean soil, asphalt, concrete, crushed stone;
• - demolition and burial of fences, roofs, dilapidated buildings in burial grounds, cutting down and removal of shrubs and trees to burial grounds.

Treatment effectiveness in reducing contamination levels can be as high as:

• - for external surfaces of residential buildings - 6-6.5 times;
• - for internal surfaces of residential buildings - 1.5-3 times;
• - for areas of terrain - 3-4 times.

Decontamination of populated areas

Decontamination of populated areas is planned in three stages:

• 1) decontamination by grading of streets, roads, and other areas that do not have a hard surface, plowing of personal plots;
• 2) decontamination of houses and buildings with solutions SF-2u, SF-3K with a consumption rate of 5-6 l/m2 (one charge per 1 yard);
• 3) decontamination of houses and buildings with water at a consumption rate of 6-10 l/m2 (up to 15 charges per yard).

A curfew service is organized at the entrance and exit from a populated area. Routes on which decontamination is not carried out are closed, and traffic is locality limited. Personnel carrying out decontamination work must wear personal protective equipment for their skin and respiratory system (gas mask, respirator), and also be provided with dosimeters. Decontaminated buildings, structures and populated areas are transferred to representatives of local authorities according to the act.

Contaminated trees are washed with water containing surfactants. Particularly contaminated branches from trees and shrubs are cut down (cut) and removed.

After decontamination, contaminated vegetation in courtyards, squares and parks is cut off with a layer of soil of 2-5 cm, and then buried.

In the case of deep penetration of radioactive substances into the soil and contamination levels of 5 mr/h or more, the thickness of the removed soil after preliminary removal is up to 10 cm.

The earth is dug up with a complete overturning of the layer without breaking clods with a shovel, and the area is sown with grass.

Decontamination of premises

Decontamination of premises is carried out by wet cleaning with cleaning solutions. Hard furniture (cabinets, cupboards, tables, etc.) is decontaminated by wiping with a damp cloth, and soft furniture (carpets, rugs, etc.) - with vacuum cleaners or outdoors. Metal and plastic products that do not deteriorate from water are treated with aqueous solutions of detergents and rinsed with clean water.

Shoes made of leather and substitutes, rubber and rubberized fabrics should be decontaminated by wiping with a damp cloth or treating with water and aqueous solutions of detergents.

The most effective decontamination of cotton, viscose and woolen clothing and linen is washing using washing machines using synthetic detergents, soap, soda, as well as extraction.

Washing and extraction of contaminated clothing and linen differs from conventional treatment in more stringent modes.

Procedure for decontamination of buildings

Before processing each building, a trench up to 50 cm deep and 25 cm wide is arranged around it at a distance of 1-1.5 m from the outer wall, with a drain to the lowest place in the yard, where a sewer pit up to 70 cm deep is dug.

Buildings and structures are treated with a decontamination solution based on SF-2u powder, followed by treatment with clean water (until the solution dries). Consumption rates are 4 kg of SF-2u powder per charge of ARS-14 or PM-130. One ARS charge can treat 2 residential buildings or one yard.

Processing of buildings begins from the top of the roof using auxiliary ladders or stepladders; thatched, dilapidated, wooden, slate roofs are not decontaminated. Their coverings must be replaced.

If radiation levels after washing exceed established standards, repeated decontamination is carried out.

Table 2.1 - Permissible levels of radioactive contamination

Procedure for decontamination of water sources (mine wells)

Decontamination of water sources is carried out by completely pumping out the water, 2- or 3-fold treatment of the walls of the wells with brushes and removing the bottom layer of silt or soil, followed by refilling with water.

The outer part of the well is secured with a clay lock and the frame of the well is covered with plastic film.

Road decontamination procedure

1. Dirt roads

Before starting decontamination work, it is necessary to water it with water, remove the top layer of wet soil to a depth of 2-5 cm and grade it with a grader. A layer of gravel 5-6 cm high and 8-10 cm wide is poured and, if possible, reinforced with special compounds to suppress dust formation, cement or asphalt.

In the area of ​​ditches cleared of contaminated soil, the soil is additionally strengthened with a polymer composition or fast-growing grasses. High slopes are secured with glass reinforcing mesh.

2. Paved roads

Treatment is carried out with a 0.01% solution of SF-2u powder or alcohol stillage with a flow rate of 3-5 l/m2. The frequency of treatment is once every 2-3 days. Roadsides and ditches are disinfected and strengthened as in the case of dirt roads.

Procedure for decontamination of vehicles and other equipment

Decontamination of heavily contaminated equipment to a state that allows its operation outside the controlled zone consists of a number of stages.

At the preliminary stage:

• - examination of the planned decontamination of equipment at the “sludge” site in order to establish the general level of contamination of components and assemblies;
• - preliminary decontamination (removal of contaminated soil, concrete and lubricant from places permissible for processing external surfaces, chassis, etc.), dismantling and decontamination (disposal) of the most contaminated parts of equipment;
• - decontamination of secondary contaminants arising during transportation.

First stage. The equipment is installed on a stand and the equipment is dismantled to provide access to the main units, after which they are decontaminated. After dismantling, dismantled parts are sent for decontamination. If necessary, remove contaminated paintwork. The machine is partially assembled.

Second phase. They carry out detailed radiation monitoring of the machine, identify the most radioactive contaminated areas and decontaminate them. The cars are being assembled.

Safety measures during decontamination

When decontamination causes dust formation, people should wear rubber gloves or mittens, a respirator or a gas mask. If these funds are not available, a multi-layer gauze or fabric bandage is put on the face. A robe or overalls is put on over the clothes, and rubber boots are put on the feet.

The basic rule that must be observed when organizing and carrying out decontamination work is to reduce radiation doses and reduce the length of stay in the contaminated area or work on contaminated equipment.

Daily monitoring of the radiation dose is required. Exceeding the established limits is unacceptable. For this purpose, doses are recorded using individual dosimeters.

It is necessary to take measures to prevent the entry of radioactive substances into the body with food and water. Store food and water supplies in dust- and waterproof containers (containers, bags). It is best to take food and water in an uninfected area.

Use respiratory protection. First of all, respirators and gas masks are suitable. In the absence of respirators and gas masks, you can use the simplest means, such as an anti-dust fabric mask, a cotton-gauze bandage. For other parts of the body, it is necessary to use ordinary household (industrial) clothing, suitably adapted. It is advisable to have rubber and closed shoes, and gloves and mittens for your hands.

It is necessary to maintain psychological stability. People must clearly know the rules of conduct in a contaminated area, be aware of the real threat from overexposure, be able to master basic methods of protection, have a good understanding of the importance of decontamination work - all this will give peace and confidence to the actions and actions of the population in an extreme situation.

Actions of personnel during decontamination

The decontamination process occurs in two stages. The first is to overcome the connection between carriers of radioactive contamination and the surface of the processed object. In the case of deep contamination, deep radioactive elements are first extracted to the surface, after which the contamination passes from deep to surface and then removed.

The second stage of the decontamination process consists of transporting (removing) radioactive contamination from the object being treated.

Decontamination work at industrial enterprises is divided into priority and subsequent. The first priority includes the decontamination of the main passages connecting production and office premises, loading and unloading areas, access roads, and transport. Secondly, the rest of the site, the surrounding area, walls and roofs of buildings are decontaminated.

Radioactive dust is washed off from asphalt driveways and passages (from which decontamination begins) using watering and fire trucks, automatic filling stations (APS), motor pumps and other means that allow surface treatment with a directed stream of water.

The rest of the site and driveways without hard surfaces are disinfected by cutting and removing contaminated soil (snow) to a depth of 5-10 cm, compacted snow - 6 cm, loose snow - up to 20 cm. Contaminated soil or snow is removed to a safe place or specially equipped burial grounds .

Decontamination of roads and passages does not completely eliminate the risk of human exposure, but still significantly reduces it.

External decontamination of buildings begins with the roofs, then the walls are washed with hoses, paying special attention to windows, joints and other places where radioactive dust may linger.

Decontamination of vehicles and equipment can be partial or complete. Partial work is carried out by the driver and maintenance staff. They process those places and machine components that come into contact during operation.

Complete decontamination is carried out outside the contaminated area at decontamination stations and sites or at special treatment points.

Decontamination of clothing, shoes and personal protective equipment can also be partial or complete. It all depends on the specific conditions, the degree of infection and the current situation.

If partial sanitization is carried out by the population, then partial decontamination is also carried out at the same time. When performing such actions in the contaminated area, clothing, shoes, and protective equipment are not removed. After entering an uncontaminated area, they are removed, but decontamination is carried out in a respirator or gas mask.

Partial decontamination involves the person himself removing radioactive substances. To do this, clothes, shoes, personal protective equipment are hung on boards, ropes, tree branches and thoroughly swept with a broom for 20-30 minutes, cleaned with brushes or beaten out with sticks. All types of clothing and footwear can be subjected to this decontamination method, with the exception of products made of rubber, rubberized materials, synthetic films and leather, which are wiped with a rag moistened with water or a decontamination solution.

Additional disinfection is carried out at decontamination sites deployed near sanitary washing points or sanitary treatment sites, where the population will undergo complete sanitary treatment.

After various kinds of bad things in Lately news (links to which are below) about radioactive contamination, I decided to write a post about decontamination, which is dedicated to what to do next when you manage to pick up radioactive particles on your equipment, clothes, shoes and skin and what means are used for this.
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/11/14/28577 The IAEA reported the discovery of radioactive iodine in Europe
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/12/01/29162 Container with radioactive tires from Japan discovered in Vladivostok
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/04/22/21520 Only half of the emitting vehicles from Japan in Primorye need decontamination - Rospotrebnadzor
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/06/15/23443 “Smelling” spare parts from Japan found in the Sakhalin port
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/11/14/28569 The Prosecutor General's Office of Kyrgyzstan is investigating the supply of radioactive coal from Kazakhstan
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/08/31/25943 Five trucks of radioactive materials were not allowed into Belarus
www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2011/05/20/22376 A container from Japan with an increased level of radiation was discovered in St. Petersburg
etc.
Decontamination is the removal of radioactive substances from a contaminated surface.
Decontamination can be carried out in two ways - mechanical and physico-chemical, which complement each other. The mechanical method consists of mechanically removing radioactive dust with a brush, broom, using a vacuum cleaner or shaking out and beating out, wiping with tow, rags, rinsing with water, removing and removing the top contaminated layer (soil, grain, hay, etc.), filtering.
The mechanical method is the simplest and most accessible and, as a rule, is used to decontaminate equipment, vehicles, clothing, and personal protective equipment immediately after leaving the contaminated area.
However, due to the close contact of radioactive substances with the surface of many materials and their deep penetration into the surface, mechanical method decontamination may not give the desired effect. Therefore, along with it, a physicochemical method is used, which involves the use of solutions of special preparations that significantly increase the efficiency of removing (washing off) radioactive substances from the surface.
Radioactive substances are washed off with rags, brushes and brushes soaked in solvents. When decontamination causes dust formation, people should have rubber gloves or mittens, a respirator or a gas mask. If these funds are not available, a multi-layer gauze or fabric bandage is put on the face. A robe or overalls is put on over the clothes, and rubber boots are put on the feet.
So, to remove radioactive contamination from any surface, you must use the following detergent compositions:
1. Composition No. 1:
- washing powder – 3 g;
- alkali - 10 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
2. Composition No. 2:
- DS-RAS – 10 ml;
- water - up to 1 l;
- DS-RAS (RAS paste) – a solution of refined alkylaryl sulfonate.
3. Composition No. 3:
- DS-RAS - 10 ml;
- oxalic acid - 5 g;
- table salt - 50 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
4. Composition No. 4:
- DS-RAS or OP – 5 g;
- oxalic acid – 5 g;
- sodium hexametaphosphate – 7 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
Contaminated surfaces that cannot be washed with the specified compositions are subject to additional treatment with detergent composition No. 5.
5. Composition No. 5:
- potassium permanganate (or hydrogen peroxide) – 40 g;
- sulfuric acid- 5 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
After decontamination of the surface with composition No. 5 (within 10-15 minutes), treatment with composition No. 3 is carried out.
If the contaminated material is not resistant to acids (corrodes or dissolves), then it is recommended to treat it with alkaline solutions of composition No. 6.
6. Composition No. 6:
- caustic soda - 10 g;
- Trilon B - 10 g;
- water up to 1 liter.
Valuable equipment and devices should be decontaminated with a solution of citric or oxalic acid of the following composition:
7. Composition No. 7:
- citric or oxalic acid - 10-20 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
8. Composition No. 8:
- trisodium phosphate or sodium hexametaphosphate - 10-20 g;
- water - up to 1 liter.
To decontaminate the surfaces of premises and equipment, you can use PS-32 solution.
During the decontamination process, measures should be taken to possibly reduce the consumption of detergents in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Sanitation (decontamination)
skin
Ways of penetration of chemically toxic and radioactive substances into the body and their effect on the skin:
through the respiratory system (inhalation) - rapid absorption and acute poisoning are possible, as well as chronic
through the skin (percutaneously) – slow or rapid absorption, irritation, wounds, burns
through the mouth, gastrointestinal tract (orally) – smoking, food chains
Sanitary treatment (decontamination) of the skin is aimed at reducing dose loads on the skin and internal organs. Due to the high rate of penetration of radionuclides deep into the skin and into other organs and tissues, the effectiveness of skin decontamination is very limited and depends on a number of the following factors:
Nature of radioactive contamination
Condition of the skin.
Temperature of the decontamination solution.
Duration of cleaning.
Sanitary treatment (decontamination) of the skin should be carried out no later than 6 hours after contamination
Basic means for decontamination - bath or toilet -
soap, brush, washcloth, water temperature 35-40 oC.
Do not use products that have an abrasive effect, as well as organic solvents (ether, ethyl alcohol, xylene, etc.).
It is advisable to decontaminate local contamination of the hands, head and face over a sink under running warm water using toilet soap and a brush. Wash your face with soap and water. Hair contaminated with radioactive substances is washed with shampoo with the addition of 3% citric acid. The eyes are washed under running warm water with the eyelids wide apart. To avoid contamination of the lacrimal canals, the water stream is directed from the inner corner to the outer. If radioactive substances get into your mouth, it is necessary to rinse it several times with warm water, brush your teeth and gums with a brush and toothpaste, and then rinse with 3% citric acid. After washing locally contaminated areas of the skin, it is advisable to carry out general sanitary treatment of the body in the shower using a bath or toilet soap and soft washcloth
Special preparations are also used to decontaminate the skin:
- drug "Radez" (TU6-15-1331-81) - 5 g per 1 treatment;
- “Protection” paste (T964-6-33-79) - 5 g per 1 treatment;
- laundry soap.

For the decontamination of?-emitting nuclides in the form of dispersive aerosols with liquid (fog) and solid dispersed phases (dust-like contaminants), the drug is used SF-2U. It decontaminates surfaces painted with chemically resistant enamels: concrete, plaster, stainless steel, plastic, equipment, instruments, products, furniture, tool steel, wood.
Details on how to prepare a solution from SF-2U are written in the comrade’s post warrior345 Here.

1. Radiation reconnaissance 2. Radioactive contamination 3. Means used for decontamination 4. Features of decontamination 5. Safety measures

Radiation reconnaissance

A. After the explosion of a nuclear weapon

Effective protection of the population and preservation of the working capacity of workers and employees largely depend on the timely detection of radioactive contamination and an objective assessment of the current situation. It must be taken into account that the process of forming a radioactive trace lasts several hours. At this time, the headquarters for civil defense and emergency situations carry out tasks to predict radioactive contamination of the area. The forecast provides only approximate data on the size and degree of pollution. Specific actions of civil defense forces and assets, the population, as well as decision-making to carry out rescue operations are carried out on the basis of an assessment of the situation based on data received from reconnaissance actually operating on the ground. Using these data, specific radiation protection regimes for the population are determined, the beginning and duration of work of rescuers’ shifts in the contaminated area are established, and issues of decontamination of equipment, transport, and food are resolved.

B. After the nuclear power plant accident

In the event of an accident at nuclear power plants, radioactive contamination of the area is local in nature. It is caused mainly by biologically active radionuclides. The radiation dose rate on the ground is hundreds or even thousands of times less than in the trace of the radioactive cloud of a nuclear explosion. Therefore, the main danger to people is not external, but internal radiation.

Radiation reconnaissance is carried out at predetermined points, including populated areas, i.e. where there may be contamination from an emergency release.

Reconnaissance measures dose rates, takes soil and water samples, inspects populated areas and commercial sites in detail, checks the degree of contamination of food and fodder, and determines the possibility of their consumption. The bulk of the work in the first days after the accident is carried out by reconnaissance units of civil defense units and formations, as well as civilian reconnaissance units. The tasks of monitoring the degree of radioactive contamination of food, food products, fodder and water are solved by institutions of the surveillance and laboratory control network - these are SES, agrochemical, veterinary laboratories, which are equipped with special dosimetric and radiometric equipment. In addition, where the population lives in a radiation-contaminated area, additional controls are established in the trade and Catering, in the markets, in educational institutions and preschool institutions. It should be taken into account that in rural areas a significant part of the population consumes their own food products. Testing them for radioactive contamination through a network of laboratories poses significant difficulties. Quite often, food products bypass any control. They are consumed both by the population themselves and are often exported to other areas for sale. Therefore, back in 1989, the National Commission for radiation protection(NKRZ) allowed the population to independently assess the radiation situation in their place of residence, including checking for radioactive contamination of food and feed. For this, it is recommended to use simple, cheap and portable radioactivity indicators and household dosimetric instruments. They are sold to the entire population, but primarily to those living in contaminated areas. In case of reaching or exceeding the permissible level of dose rate or the level of contamination of food products, the population immediately notifies the civil defense and emergency authorities, as well as the sanitary and epidemiological service.

Another issue to pay attention to is alerting.

It is not enough to establish the fact of radiation contamination. The public needs to be informed about this so that they can take protective measures. The main method of notification in the event of a danger is the transmission of information via wired broadcast networks (through apartment radio points), as well as through local radio and television broadcasting stations. To attract the attention of the population, sirens are first turned on, the sound of which means the signal “Attention everyone!” By turning on radios, receivers, and televisions, the population will learn about the current situation. He will be reminded of the rules of behavior and told about the activities that are expected to be completed in the near future. All this will give a certain organization, create conditions for calm, confident actions by everyone, and prevent panic.

Nuclear pollution

It occurs for three reasons: as a result of a nuclear explosion, an accident at a nuclear power plant or other nuclear power plant, and also as a consequence of irresponsible storage and negligent handling of radioactive drugs in medicine, scientific institutions and industry. Everyone is well aware of the contamination of the area as a result of three major accidents at nuclear power plants (in the USA, England and the USSR). But somehow little is mentioned about the release of radioactive substances from a storage facility in 1957 in the area of ​​the Mayak chemical plant. Not everyone knows about the contamination of the area in 1964 after the accident of an American satellite with a nuclear power source. And almost no one realizes that over the past 30 years there have been more than 100 incidents with nuclear weapons in the US military. Here is one example. In 1966, in the skies over Spain (the locality of Palomares), an American B-52 bomber collided with a tanker aircraft. There were four hydrogen bombs on board the plane. The pilot managed to turn it on and radioactive substances were sprayed over the area. It’s good that everything happened without a monstrous explosion. Decontamination work cost the Americans $50 million. And how much is lost and simply thrown into a landfill? radioactive drugs. Only God knows. The Moscow specialized enterprise "Radon", as they say, has lost its feet, looking for places where pollution is above any permissible standards. Everything is exposed to radioactive contamination: terrain, vegetation, people, animals, buildings and structures, transport and technology, instruments and equipment, food, fodder and water. Both external surfaces and everything inside residential and industrial premises become infected. Contamination of catering units, medical institutions, and food industry enterprises is especially dangerous.

The largest radioactive particles settle on the ground, and then are transported from one place to another by the wheels of vehicles, agricultural machinery, and on the legs of people and animals, thereby expanding the affected area. Smaller particles in the form of dust are carried by air currents to all imaginable and inconceivable places: into apartments, attics, basements, warehouses, courtyard buildings, car cabins, street toilets, etc. Even smaller particles in the form of aerosols float in the air, and therefore enter the respiratory system of humans and animals. It is extremely difficult to remove these particles, which is why they pose quite a serious danger. There are no perfectly smooth surfaces. Therefore, radioactive particles, settling on the surface, penetrate into crevices, cracks, recesses, and various pores.

Let's take slate roofs, brick walls, asphalt pavements - they all perfectly perceive, as if absorbing all this contamination. Pores can be extremely small, measured in microns, but they allow both solid and liquid particles to penetrate. Radioactive contamination due to pores and penetration of radionuclides deep into the material was especially characteristic of radioactive particles during the Chernobyl accident. As the time during which contamination lasts increases, the process of deep contamination increases, which requires significant costs and special decontamination methods.

Rain, the work of worms, and ants increase the penetration of radionuclides into the soil up to 30 cm.

A significant amount of radioactive particles enters the water directly during deposition or is washed away by flood waters or rain into a river, reservoir, lake, or pond. But even here, the largest dust particles settle to the bottom, and the lighter ones are carried downstream by the current of water, although losing the density of infection, but at the same time spreading it further and further. The external surfaces of buildings and structures are also not equally infected. First of all, it depends on what it is: horizontal, inclined or vertical. Of course, on a horizontal plane the contamination will be higher; as the angle increases to 90°, it decreases. During accidents at nuclear power plants, the areas adjacent to the facility are most heavily contaminated. As it is removed, the dose rate (DR) of radioactive contamination decreases. However, after the events of April 26, 1986 at Chernobyl, tiny particles (radionuclides) crossed the borders of Poland, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and other countries. The highest levels of pollution were observed in Sweden and Poland. A significant deterioration of the radiation situation occurs due to the wind transfer of radioactive substances, as well as as a result of the movement of people and equipment. So-called secondary pollution occurs. More highly active particles are transferred to clean areas on car wheels, tractor tracks, and the feet of people and animals. Dump trucks, bulldozers, loaders – all the equipment that was involved in removing and transporting contaminated soil – receive secondary contamination. The Chernobyl experience showed that the same object can be contaminated several times due to secondary processes. When a forest fires, radionuclides turn into smoke and ash, polluting the air and the surface of the earth. If you fired the stove with contaminated wood, then for many years you made the chimney radioactive, and even practically impossible to decontaminate. Let's imagine such a case, and they happen often. In the village, the main street, approaches to houses and courtyards were decontaminated. The herd returns from the pasture. Animals on their feet brought radiation that the level became again the same as it was before decontamination. All the work of people, all the efforts and material resources used were in vain. Dust is one of the most difficult and dangerous enemies in the fight against radioactive contamination. She's rising strong wind, is formed during the movement of ground transport, especially on country roads, during the removal of contaminated soil, and during the takeoff and landing of helicopters. The wind carries radionuclides over long distances, contaminating more and more new territories.

Means used for decontamination

What is decontamination?

Decontamination is the removal of radioactive substances from contaminated objects, which eliminates harm to people and ensures their safety. Objects of decontamination can be residential and industrial buildings, areas of territory, equipment, transport and machinery, clothing, household items, food and water. The ultimate goal of decontamination is to provide people with, eliminate or reduce the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on the human body. A characteristic feature of decontamination measures is a strictly differentiated approach to identifying objects that should be decontaminated. This approach allows us to select from a larger number of contaminated objects the most important for people’s livelihoods and, with limited forces and resources, carry out the planned work. Infection of surfaces can be adhesive, superficial and deep. In adhesive contamination, radioactive particles are held on the surface by adhesion (sticking) forces. Adhered particles are easily removed from the surface if the tearing force is greater than the adhesion force. In an aqueous environment, adhesion forces are significantly reduced, so the use of water for decontamination purposes is completely justified. It is less common to encounter cases of superficial and deep infection. They are caused by the processes of adsorption, ion exchange and diffusion. In this case, the entire upper layer is infected, which must be removed along with radioactive substances.

Thus, all decontamination methods can be divided into liquid and liquid-free.

Liquid - removal of radioactive substances with a jet of water or steam, or as a result of physical and chemical processes between a liquid medium and radioactive substances. Liquidless – mechanical removal of radioactive substances: sweeping, suction, blowing, removing the contaminated layer. The effectiveness of the liquid method depends on the water consumption, the pressure in front of the nozzle, the distance to the surface being treated and the additives that are used. For example, the highest decontamination coefficient is achieved when the jet is directed at an angle of 30 - 45° to the surface being treated. To reduce the consumption of water or decontamination solutions per unit surface, it is advisable to use brushes. Brushes significantly influence the result of decontamination, especially in the initial stage of infection. Among liquid-free mechanical methods of decontamination, vacuum cleaning, sweeping, removal of the contaminated layer, and plowing of the soil should be highlighted. Decontamination of hard-surfaced areas is carried out mechanically (sweeping, vacuum cleaning).

Decontamination substances and solutions

To carry out decontamination work, substances are used that can increase the efficiency of removing radioactive particles. These include surface-active detergents, industrial waste, organic solvents, sorbents and ion-exchange materials. To increase the cleaning ability of water, surfactants are added to it. And you need to add them quite a bit, 0.1 - 0.5%. Surfactants promote the separation and release of radioactive particles into the decontamination solution. Surfactants that have detergent effects include regular soap, gardinol, sulfanol, and OP-7 preparations. OP-10, etc. Gardinol is a white or cream-colored powder, highly soluble in water to form a slightly alkaline medium. It has good surface-active and detergent properties. Sulfanol is a pasty or brown plate-shaped substance that is moderately soluble in water. Has good cleaning ability. Sulfanol is used for the preparation of washing powders SF-2 and SF-2U. Preparations OP-7 and OP-10 are widely used in industry as wetting agents and emulsifiers. They are used as a component of decontamination solutions for the treatment of structures, equipment, machinery, clothing and personal protective equipment. Industrial waste. Waste containing surfactants. Available at enterprises of the mechanical engineering, machine tool, textile industries, oil and fat factories, dry cleaning factories, bath and laundry plants. These wastes may contain fatty acids, sulfonol, OP-7, various oils and other substances. Organic solvents: among them dichloroethane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel. They are recommended to decontaminate mainly metal surfaces (machines, machinery, equipment, vehicles). Radioactive substances are washed off with rags, brushes and brushes soaked in solvents. All of the above substances, with the exception of sorbents and ion exchangers, can be used in the preparation of solutions for decontamination of the surfaces of various structures, equipment, machinery and vehicles, clothing, footwear and protective equipment.