Radioactive substances are the decay products of certain 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 in Chernobyl. Despite the limitation of the case, ecology still suffers near this city. In connection with the exposure to radioactive particles, children with developmental abnormalities are born, many people become infected with radiation sickness. In order to avoid terrible consequences, it is necessary to carry out decontamination. It can be produced in all environments (in air, in water), on the surfaces of objects, on the human body, etc.
Decontamination is what?
From the Latin language the word translates as "inaction." Nevertheless, many remain unclear; decontamination is what it 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 clearing a radioactive substance from something. Harmful particles can settle anywhere. Usually they fall on the surface of water, trees, houses, on skin integuments, etc. The main place of radiation accumulation is air, through which molecules are transferred to everything else. Based on this, decontamination is a disinfection of the environment. In addition to radioactive substances, harmful to health chemical elements, such as mercury, can be classified as polluting substances.
Methods for decontamination
The disinfection process can be carried out in various ways.
The first method involves the mechanical removal of harmful substances. It is more simple and affordable. 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. Perform mechanical decontamination 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 in contact with the skin, but even in the air that is filled with them.
The second method is physico-chemical decontamination. It is carried out in the same way as in the first case, but has a slight difference. During its implementation, special solutions are used that allow faster and better removal of harmful particles.
What is needed for decontamination?
To carry out environmental disinfection, special equipment is needed. Decontamination agents are selected depending on its type. With the mechanical method, objects necessary for cleaning the house are used to remove harmful particles. You can clean the surface of furniture, floors and walls with a vacuum cleaner, rags, a broom, various brushes and sponges. Running water is used to remove harmful substances from clothing. When conducting physical and chemical decontamination, powders, sodium chloride, oxalic or sulfuric acid, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other disinfecting solutions are used. It should be remembered that, no matter what harmful substance got into the environment, it must be deactivated in special clothing. On hands there should be strong rubber gloves, on the face - a gas mask or a respirator. In the absence of this, it is necessary to wear a gauze bandage consisting of several layers. On top of the clothes you need to throw a special jumpsuit or bathrobe. Rubber boots are also useful.
What is radioactive decontamination?
The most common harmful particles are decay products of chemical elements. They have a detrimental effect on the body due to the fact that they have the ability to radiation. These substances are able to exist in the atmosphere for many years, while their damaging effect is preserved. Timely and high-quality radiation decontamination 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, therefore, first of all, it is necessary to evacuate people in the danger zone. When a significant part of the environment is irradiated, a specialized team is sent to the affected area, which must carry out decontamination. You can clean objects that have been exposed to radioactive particles in any way, but to improve the quality, the use of both mechanical and physical disinfection is recommended. To remove them from the air, ventilation through windows, doors, the presence of vents, the installation of special filters are required.
Water disinfection
The ingress of harmful agents onto the surface of a liquid can occur either primary or secondary. If the water was initially infected, then the distribution of radioactive substances in it is uneven, so it is necessary to determine their level in several places. Secondary entry of harmful agents comes from the air, in which case the harmful agents are located on the entire surface. Water deactivation is carried out by 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 sedimentation will be more productive. Significant purification can be achieved by filtering the water with sand, gravel or soil. The highest quality method is distillation, which is carried out through an ion exchange resin. This method allows you to completely clean the water from harmful particles.
Mercury disinfection
Many chemicals have harmful properties. Mercury is one of the 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 (currently rare). If an object containing mercury is broken, it is necessary to immediately collect and remove harmful particles. It should be remembered that it is forbidden to sweep or rinse it off with a rag, as it is 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 washed with a solution of potassium permanganate and hydrochloric acid. After this, the room is aired. It is best to call a decontamination specialist.
How to remove harmful substances from the skin?
Everyone should have an idea of what decontamination of the skin is and how to conduct it. If toxic substances get into exposed areas (hands, face), disinfection should be carried out no later than after 6 hours. For this, running water is used under high pressure, soap, a solid washcloth or brush. Do not use alcohol solutions, as they will only aggravate the situation. The hair and mucous membrane of the mouth must be rinsed with a solution of citric acid. Flush eyes from inside to outside.
What is the danger of untimely decontamination?
If harmful substances get on any environmental objects, they must be decontaminated urgently. The absence or delay of decontamination leads to serious consequences for the body. Radioactive particles cause a condition such as radiation sickness, a complete cure for which is still not possible. In addition, harmful substances can affect the health of 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 crucial.