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Decontamination of Skin, What to use?

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scooter:
Would like to ask what is the best decon method on skin has worked the best and why?  Have been through 409, GOJO, Glass Plus, duct tape (ouch!), "anything on hand" etc... Looking to take the Site that I am at to a consistent "cleaner".  Any help would really be appreciated.  Thank you in advance!

Phurst:
1. Plain old soap and water. Water has to be luke warm. You can use bar soap or dish soap. Dawn is good because it lifts oils with dirt. Use twice, if that doesn't work:
2. Go to a pumice based or a mechanics hand cleaner for hands only (I suppose it would be okay on feet). Use only once. For other skin contaminations, I wouldn't do any thing else.
Never try to decon more than a few times. The exposure risk isn't worth the headache you'll have if you wash them raw.

alphadude:
sounds like the c has already chemically bonded or become inert because of the decon methods and residence time. typically u have many choices based on the compund u wish to use. cobalt and the iron series must be removed via an acid type surfactant.  any alkali soaps may render iron species passive and make it hard to remove.  peroxides may be used with care this includes permanganate.  alkaline based -cesium- may also be removed with acid wash- dont forget the used of tide detergent this stuff can be harsh but it does work-so would any detergent that says it will remove blood (cobalt)or rust.  sweating is also a method- however remember this- do a dose calculation on it and more than likely its no big deal- however if dose is the issue dermal abrasion under a doctors direction may be the only solution.  what it sounds like is that the methods used changed the chemical compostion and the contamination is just sitting there inert.  the key to any rad contaminations it to decon it like any of the similar species iron-cobalt-or oxides ;cesium-alkaline or salts  the nasties (plut etc) treat it like lead.(good luck with that stuff) if in a grease matrix-soaps followed by acidifiation and rewash. dont forget the liabilites also-are the methods of treatment causing a traumatic impact upon the contaminated peson-psychsomatic issues can be very real in a court of law.

RAD-GHOST:
I agree with Rennhack, it depends on the particular type of contamination, or the materials the contamination is combined with, ( dust, dirt, grease, acids, alkali, solvents, glue ).  Some of the products mentioned in the initial posting would not be my first choice, my second either.  It's always great to have a one stop cure all, but the standard decontamination methods have been proven for decades.  Normally, soap and warm water will resolve 99 % of your contamination cases.  As well as being an effective cleaning agent, the worker will feel more comfortable when they see that it is as simple as washing their hands, just like they do at home!  

If it doesn't work after 3X , focus on the skin condition and any signs of foreign residue.  If grease is present, a product such as dawn can be used, straight without water, then rinsed.  This will usually cut the grease and even some types of tape residue.  If the residue still persists, a little, ( Very Little ), waterless hand cleaner could be used in localized areas.

Tide was mentioned and it is very effective, in the powder form.  Powdered Tide, contains Titanium Dioxide, a great Oxidizer!  Most people assume it should be used like a soap, wash and rinse.  This isn't the case, it should be mixed into a thick paste with water, then applied to the area for a couple of minutes, until it starts to dry.  It may seem a little ridiculous but this stuff is actually fairly aggressive.  It is oxidizing the thin layer of outer skin!  I have used this method several time and the workers involved seemed to have little concern with the product.  After all most of them washed their clothing in the stuff!    

Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizer and should only be used if you are trained.  I have only seen this product used twice in the past 25 years.  Once by myself and once by an impatient Engineer, who thought he knew better!  The Engineer incident, was one of those," Where is the camera when you need it", moments!  He picked the bottle up and applied it to his thighs and crotch, in the shower.  In a short time he realized that the purple wasn't coming off!  After we managed to get chemistry to mix us up a batch of neutralizer, the Engineer's last words were, " Thanks, It was starting to get Real Tingely"!  This product also has a very specific negative reaction with many other chemicals and will waste a demineralizer bed in a heart beat!  

Before using any product, READ the LABEL!  Make sure it has been proven for use on a persons skin.  Make sure it won't cause you an even bigger problem.  If a product's label contains the words, Petrolium Based, or gives a VOC range, I wouldn't even consider it!  

Keep the worker involved in the process you are using and allow him to reason it out.  I have seen a simple decontamination incident run for weeks, because the person wasn't given any explaination as to what was used, or why!

After you have completed the decontamination, make sure you follow up with some form of skin conditioner, even if you only used soap and water.  

darkmatter:
I too have seen a number of products used on the skin for decontamination with various degrees of success depending on the physical nature of the contaminate.
I have seen WD-40 used with good success when followed by a foaming cleanser. The WD-40 appears to act as a solvent and binder then is removed with a degreasing foam cleaner like "syntec" or "wallpower". This can be harsh on the skin and will burn on cuts and scrapes. (Don't ask me how I know this)

Okay, Okay, here's my decon story about a "Engineer" (Isn't it always an Engineer) who was being frisked by a diligent RP and found where he had sat down on something that leached thru his PCs. Bypassing Procedure guidence the RP in trying to assist the agitated and in a hurry Engineer grabbed a can of "Radiac-wash" foaming cleanser,the Engineer sprayed and wiped the skin of the affected area. Shorty thereafter the Engineer began complaining about some rather intense burning. The RP checked the can of grubby "Radiac-wash" only to find it was really a can of Gasket Cleaner some mechanic had left at the frisking station. After the Engineer was showered and the RP severely chastized in front of the Engineer by the RPM and various members of Management, the Engineer left the room with the RP fearing for his job, only to be assulted by peals of laughter and congratulations from the same people who were just a moment ago acting like they were going to fire him.

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