Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 44
In a radiation contamination event, any wound must be considered contaminated until
proven otherwise and should be decontaminated prior to decontaminating intact skin.
Protection of non-contaminated wounds with waterproof dressings will minimize the
potential for uptake of radioactive material. To decontaminate wounds, irrigate and
gently scrub with a surgical sponge. Normal wound debridement should be performed.
Excision around wounds solely to remove contamination should only be performed in
extreme cases.
Placement of gauze within a wound or over a denuded area will remove additional
contamination.
When wounds are contaminated, the physician must assume that incorporation (internal
contamination) has occurred. Appropriate action is based on both radioactive and
biologic half-life, radiotoxicity (type of radiation), and the amount of radioactive material.
It is important to consult experts as soon as possible and to initiate measures that
prevent or minimize uptake of the radioactive material into body cells or tissues.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 407