Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2016. Vol. 61. No. 4. P. 19-23

RADIATION SAFETY

V.N. Klochkov, V.I. Rubtsov

Decontamination of the Personal Protective Equipment at Rectification of the Radiation Accident Consequences: Use of Chernobyl Experience Today

A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of FMBA, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To analyze and summarize the experience of decontaminating of the personal protective equipment (PPE) during rectification of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP, and to define the main areas of improving the technology and management of decontamination activities at potential radiation accidents.

Material and methods: This work analyzes the results of the authors’ research and literature data on decontamination of overalls and other staff PPE that was contaminated during rectification of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP in 1986-87.

Results: Main conclusions on the specifics of decontaminating of the staff overalls and other PPE during rectification of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP are provided based on the summary and analysis of literature data and own long-term research experience. It’s shown that efficiency of the PPE decontamination depends on all the constituents including settings of the temporary permissible levels of the PPE radioactive contamination, sorting of PPE based on the contamination level and nature, strict following of the decontamination technology, use of efficient chemicals and modern high-performance laundry equipment, close control over the levels of PPE contamination after decontamination etc. The experts have tested new efficient detergents and recommended them for using in working special laundries. Methodological support of adoption of new high-performance equipment in special laundries has been provided. The actual regulatory and procedural base of the PPE decontamination, as well as training and reference literature have been created.

Conclusion: The analysis of results of the PPE decontamination in the Chernobyl NPP area showed the primary importance of the properly established PPE decontamination framework including settings of the temporary permissible levels of the PPE radioactive contamination, their sorting based on the ontamination level and nature, decontamination in the modern washer-extractors with efficient detergents, decontamination quality control etc.

Key words: decontamination, personal protective equipment, accident at the Chernobyl NPP, temporary permissible levels

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For citation: Klochkov VN, Rubtsov V.I. Decontamination of the Personal Protective Equipment at Rectification of the Radiation Accident Consequences: Use of Chernobyl Experience Today. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2016;61(4):19-23. Russian.

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