Parameters affecting skin decontamination using wet reagents

Abstract

This paper reports the results of tests performed to evaluate the effects of key parameters on the effectiveness of several wet decontamination processes for removal of ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am from pig skin. Parameters tested included decontamination reagent composition, radionuclide deposition solution composition, the time between contamination and decontamination, and skin thickness and moisture content. Gamma-spectroscopy was used to determine the percentage activity removed and to quantify radionuclide permeation. The composition of the solution used for radionuclide deposition affected radionuclide removal, especially ²⁴¹Am. Radionuclide permeation showed a strong effect of skin hydration; ¹³⁷Cs permeated quickly through the samples while ²⁴¹Am showed no permeation.