Abstract

This study primarily aimed to evaluate how the chemical form and carrier medium of radionuclide contamination influence the effectiveness of skin decontamination procedures. In addition, the study sought to identify decontamination strategies that align with recommended practices while reducing reliance on intensive mechanical cleaning methods. Although skin damage was not directly evaluated, the findings provide valuable information for improving the safety of decontamination procedures used by personnel handling radioactive materials and by emergency responders involved in radiological and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) incidents. Accidental spills of radiopharmaceuticals in laboratories and medical facilities, as well as contamination associated with uranium mining, fuel-cycle operations, spent fuel management, and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, may involve radioactive isotopes present in a variety of chemical forms and solutions. Fresh porcine skin was used as an experimental model, and skin temperature was maintained at 37 °C to simulate physiological conditions. Europium-152 (152Eu) was selected as the model radionuclide. Deionized water, concentrated nitric acid (HNO3), saturated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, and ethanol were used as carrier media representing different chemical environments of 152Eu contamination. To simulate realistic contamination scenarios, contaminating solutions were allowed to dry on the skin surface before decontamination. The influence of contaminant chemistry, carrier medium, and drying conditions on radionuclide penetration and subsequent decontamination effectiveness was investigated. Particular attention was given to the extent to which different physicochemical forms of contamination affected radionuclide removal from the skin. The results demonstrated that the chemical form of the contaminant and the drying conditions were key factors determining decontamination efficiency. Among the tested methods, a decontamination kit consisting of a soap-based solution, the complexing agent DTPA, and an absorbent non-woven swab achieved the highest radionuclide removal efficiency. These findings indicate that successful radionuclide decontamination depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the contaminant. The combined use of a complexing agent, detergent-based formulation, and absorbent material can significantly enhance radionuclide removal from contaminated skin surfaces. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of considering contaminant chemistry when developing effective and safe decontamination protocols for radiological and CBRN incidents.

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