RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION AND EXPOSURE
FACT SHEET
What is radioactive contamination?
It occurs when radioactive matter is deposited on or in an object or a person. Radioactive matter released into the area can cause air, water, any surface, soil, plants, buildings, people, or animals to become contaminated. There are two types of contamination: external and internal contamination.
What is radioactive exposure?
A person exposed to radiation is not necessarily contaminated with radioactive matter. You can be exposed to radiation through waves or particles that penetrates the body, just from having an x-ray.
How you can be contaminated or exposed to radiation?
You can be exposed to radiation through various means such as a nuclear power plant accident, an atomic bomb explosion, or on purpose due to an act of terrorism. If there external contamination occurs, you can expose other people or surfaces just by touching, hugging others or sitting in chairs. Internal contamination occurs if you ingest or breathe radioactive matter, or when it enters the body through an open wound or absorbed through the skin.
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to radiation?
If you think you may have been contaminated with radiation, leave the area quickly. Remove your outer layer of clothes. Place the clothes in a plastic bag and place them in an out-of-the-way area, such as the corner of a room. Keep any cuts and scratches covered when handling contaminated items. Wash all of the exposed parts of your body using lots of soap and lukewarm water to remove the contamination. This process is called decontamination. If you think that you have been exposed to radiation, please call your doctor or 911 right away. Do not drive yourself to the hospital as you may expose others to the radiation.
Where can I get more information?
Source of information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)