Does bleach clean radiation?

Bleach and acidic cleaning solutions should not be used for decontamination of iodine-131 (131I) because they can make radioactive iodine volatile.
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Is there a way to decontaminate radiation?

If you can't take a shower:

Use soap and plenty of water. If you do not have access to a sink or faucet, use a moist wipe, clean wet cloth, or a damp paper towel to wipe the parts of your body that were uncovered.
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What can neutralize radiation?

These treatments include the following:
  • Potassium iodide (ThyroShield, Iosat). This is a nonradioactive form of iodine. ...
  • Prussian blue (Radiogardase). This type of dye binds to particles of radioactive elements known as cesium and thallium. ...
  • Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). This substance binds to metals.
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Can showering remove radiation?

Ninety percent of surface radiation contamination is usually removed by shedding all clothing. Showering will usually remove the remainder of surface contamination. Use approved techniques for full body radiation surveys and showering. Additional procedures are necessary if there are open wounds or injuries.
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Can soap clean radiation?

Removing the outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material. When possible, take a lukewarm shower with lots of soap and water to help remove radioactive contamination.
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Protective Actions for Radiation Emergencies - Self-Decontamination



What liquid is used to remove radiation?

Potassium iodide (KI) is a type of iodine that is not radioactive and can be used to help block one type of radioactive material, radioactive iodine (I-131), from being absorbed by the thyroid.
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Does radiation stay on clothing?

Taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material. Be very careful in removing your clothing to prevent radioactive dust from shaking loose. Put the clothing in a plastic bag or other sealable container.
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How long does radiation stay in the air?

(CBUPMC, 2011) Page 5 Radiation levels fall to one tenth within 7 hours after detonation, one-hundredth within 2 days, and one thousandth within 2 weeks. These lower levels may still be too high to remain, but make it safer to leave your shelter and evacuate (FEMA, 1985).
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How long does radiation last on surfaces?

So the general rule of thumb is that after three months, all of the radioactivity is gone. Please let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.
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Can you boil water to remove radiation?

Boiling tap water does not get rid of radioactive material.

You should have bottled water in your emergency supplies. You can drink water, juices, or other drinks in sealed containers. Drinks in your refrigerator or freezer are also safe to drink. The package protects the liquid inside from radioactive material.
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What blocks all radiation?

Shielding: Barriers of lead, concrete, or water provide protection from penetrating gamma rays. Gamma rays can pass completely through the human body; as they pass through, they can cause damage to tissue and DNA. and x-rays.
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What reduces radiation in a house?

Staying inside will reduce your exposure to radiation. Close and lock windows and doors. Take a shower or wipe exposed parts of your body with a damp cloth. Drink bottled water and eat food in sealed containers.
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How far away does radiation spread?

At a distance of 20-25 miles downwind, a lethal radiation dose (600 rads) would be accumulated by a person who did not find shelter within 25 minutes after the time the fallout began. At a distance of 40-45 miles, a person would have at most 3 hours after the fallout began to find shelter.
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Can you touch someone after radiation?

The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant.
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Can radiation spread by touch?

People who are externally contaminated with radioactive material can contaminate other people or surfaces that they touch. For example, people who have radioactive dust on their clothing may spread the radioactive dust when they sit in chairs or hug other people.
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Do masks protect against radiation?

Will a mask protect me from radiation exposure and contamination? If you are outside during a radiation emergency and cannot get inside immediately, covering your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth, or towel can help reduce the amount of radioactive material you breathe.
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Can radiation go through houses?

The walls of your home can block much of the harmful radiation. Because radioactive materials become weaker over time, staying inside for at least 24 hours can protect you and your family until it is safe to leave the area. Getting inside of a building and staying there is called “sheltering in place.”
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What masks protect against nuclear radiation?

N95 Masks are designed to protect from things like smoke, ash, allergens, bacteria, and mold. The good news is they are capable to reducing inhalation of radioactive particles in the air.
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What US cities would be targets in a nuclear war?

Irwin Redlener at Columbia University specialises in disaster preparedness and notes that there are six cities in the US that are more likely to be targeted in a nuclear attack – New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC.
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How fast does radiation travel?

Generally speaking, we say that light travels in waves, and all electromagnetic radiation travels at the same speed which is about 3.0 * 108 meters per second through a vacuum. We call this the "speed of light"; nothing can move faster than the speed of light.
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Where is the safest place to live if there is a nuclear war?

Some estimates name Maine, Oregon, Northern California, and Western Texas as some of the safest locales in the case of nuclear war, due to their lack of large urban centers and nuclear power plants.
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What absorbs radiation the best?

This is why lead aprons and blankets are the most effective shielding material to fight off x-rays and gamma-ray. After all, lead has a very high number of protons in each atom (82 to be specific), which makes it a very dense metal shield.
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What material blocks the most radiation?

Lead has long been considered "the element of choice" for radiation shielding due to its attenuating properties. Lead is a corrosion-resistive and malleable metal. Lead's high density (11.34 grams per cubic centimeter) makes it an effective barrier against X-ray and gamma-ray radiation.
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What is the most radioactive thing in a house?

The 7 Most Radioactive Items in Your Home
  1. Brazil nuts. Brazil nuts (especially the ones grown in Brazil) grow on trees with deep roots, which reach down to soil high in natural radium, a source of radiation. ...
  2. Bananas. ...
  3. Your body. ...
  4. Smoke detectors. ...
  5. Granite countertops. ...
  6. Your grandma's dinnerware. ...
  7. Cigarettes.
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Can aluminum foil block nuclear radiation?

Although there is a wide range of materials that you could use as nuclear shielding, metal is generally the best option. That is why aluminum is so highly recommended for this task.
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