| |
mixing these solutions, and consult the MSDS for
specific precautions.
Decontaminating Foods
All food should be carefully monitored. Foods in
metal or glass packages may be safe. Contamination is
best removed from the external surfaces by washing.
Food items in sealed, dustproof packages may also be
safe, provided the wrapper is not broken. To remove the
contamination from these packages, vacuum them and
carefully remove the outer wrap. Some vegetables can
also be decontaminated if they are carefully washed,
dried, monitored, and peeled-if monitoring shows
contamination is not above specified limits. When
surface contamination cannot be physically removed,
the food should be condemned. All foods must be
inspected and approved by the medical officer.
Decontaminating Spaces and Equipment
Thorough cleaning of all surfaces is vital. Work
should commence overhead and continue downward in
the direction of the liquid flow. When feasible, the first
step should consist of flushing the surfaces with safe
water. Do not get water on electrical controls that are
not waterproofed. The second step involves systematic
scrubbing with chemical cleaning agents. Piping,
ductwork, stanchions, bulkheads, coamings, and decks
should be repeatedly scrubbed until monitoring
indicates that a safe condition exists.
Bare metal
surfaces should be given an initial scrubbing with
alkaline detergents to remove grease film. When
available, citric acid solution should then be applied and
allowed to remain for a minimum period of 10 minutes.
Rinse the surface with safe, fresh water, allow to dry,
and monitor. In the absence of citric acid, vinegar may
be used, but it is less effective.
Decontaminating Utensils and Dinnerware
Treat metal utensils and dinnerware such as metal
tableware and cutlery in the same manner as other metal
surfaces. Wash with a detergent followed by an acid
treatment.
When possible, immerse utensils and
dinnerware in the acid solution. Crockery and glass
present no particular cleaning problem, provided the
glazed surfaces are without scratches or foreign deposits
such as stains or hard water scale. Plastic ware may
present some difficulty because of the relatively porous
character of the surface, scratches, and the presence of
foreign deposits.
Both glassware and plastic ware
should be machine washed, rinsed, dried, and each item
monitored. Those that do not pass should be inspected
for cracks and surface defects. Cracked and badly
scratched items should be disposed of immediately. The
other items still showing contamination should be given
repeated washings until safe, or they should be
segregated to await natural decay of contamination or
disposal of the item.
Protection of Personnel
When you are engaged in decontamination, wear
protective clothing as prescribed by the ship’s damage
control bill. If protective clothing is not available,
similar garments may be substituted. Care must be
taken to make sure substitute clothing adequately
prevents radioactive particles from coming in contact
with the skin or gaining entry to the body by ingestion,
inhalation, or through breaks in the skin. Masks should
be worn. In the absence of regulation masks, chemical
goggles should be worn to protect the eyes. A high
efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter respirator also
can be used to protect the lungs.
Spaces that were not contaminated, or that have
been decontaminated, must be carefully protected. All
personnel and material must be carefully monitored
(decontaminated if needed) before anyone is permitted
to enter these spaces. Cleaning gear, items of protective
clothing, and so forth, used in decontamination
procedures should be segregated and disposed of as
contaminated according to their level of contamination.
To familiarize yourself with protective clothing and
equipment, and with the procedure for adapting regular
issue clothing for NBC warfare protection, see Military
Requirements for Petty Officer Third Class,
NAVEDTRA 12044.
Preventing Recontamination
Contaminated items brought accidentally into
spaces should be removed and, pending
decontamination of the affected areas, these areas
should be roped off. Personnel who may have walked
through these areas or who may have otherwise come in
contact with radioactive particles should be sent to the
decontamination station.
DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
AGENTS
The United States has renounced all use of
biological agents in warfare, but the need still exists to
be prepared to defend ourselves against these agents if
1-19
|
