title: Assessment of self-help methods to reduce potential exposure to radiological contamination after a large-scale radiological release.
abstract: After the release of radioactive materials from a large radiological dispersal device (e.g., dirty bomb), improvised nuclear detonation, or nuclear power plant accident, up to hundreds of square miles may be contaminated. A portion of this area will be evacuated; however, people living in the portion that is not evacuated yet is still contaminated with low-levels of radioactive contamination will be asking for ways they can reduce their exposure. Whether cleaning activities can significantly reduce exposure is not fully understood. In this effort, the ability of cleaning activities to remove cesium (137Cs) was studied. The removal efficacy of cleaning with a commercial product, Simple Green®, was compared to cleaning with water for hard surfaces typically seen in residences. The removal efficacy of laundering fabric material surfaces was also determined for a range of conditions (e.g., fabric material type, wash temperature). During these studies, assessments of the implications of these activities (e.g., cross-contamination, resulting waste streams) were also completed. Simple Green and water were effective for removing 137Cs from plastic laminate and vinyl flooring (93.4-96.8%) but were not effective for removing 137Cs from painted wallboard and wood (7.3-68.1%). It was also determined that there was no significant difference between the two cleaners on all of the surfaces, except plastic laminate, for which Simple Green was slightly more effective. Laundering was effective for removing 137Cs contamination from polyester and cotton swatches and cotton comforters (up to 96.8% in the single swatch testing).
authors: *U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development's National Homeland Security Research Center, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; †U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development's National Homeland Security Research Center, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268; ‡U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Office of Emergency Management's Consequence Management Advisory Team, 4900 Olympic Blvd, Erlanger, KY 41018; §Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83415; **Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352; ††Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201.
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Snyder
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Drake
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Cardarelli
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Hall
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Szabo
authors: Rick
authors: R
authors: Demmer
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Lindberg
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Riggs
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: James
mesh_terms: D002586:Cesium / Q000032:analysis; D003020:Clothing; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002586:Cesium