Radiation burns occur when a person gets exposed to high amounts of radiation over a short period of time. According to MedlinePlus, dirty boms, nuclear fallouts, accidental release of nuclear reactor or weapons are some causes of radiation burns or sickness. Exposure to large amounts of beta emitters, such as iodine-131 for cancer treatment or strontium-90 in radioactive tracers, may also cause radiation burns and injuries, notes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Step 1
Immediately call emergency personnel to inform them of the radiation exposure and possible fall-out and contamination of the surrounding areas.
Step 2
Remove any contaminated clothing from the affected person to remove further damage to the body and to others around him.
Step 3
Flush contaminated burns with gently running water. Flush contaminated wounds with a salt water solution and wipe with a surgical sponge to remove traces of radiation.
Step 4
Cover burns and wounds with sterile dressing or clean cloth to prevent recontamination as other areas are being washed.
Step 5
Wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and warm water, taking extra care to wash skin folds and nails.
Step 6
Continue washing burns, wounds and skin until all traces of contamination are gone. A Geiger-Muller counter can be used to track how much radioactivity is left on the person.
Tips and Warnings
- Wash contaminated burns and wounds before contaminated skin to prevent the radiation from entering the body. Take potassium iodide if radioactive material was swallowed, or if radioactive iodine from a nuclear power plant was released.
- Do not use scrubs or brushes to wash or rinse the person's body. (Merck) Persons with thyroid conditions must not take potassium iodide. (Merck)
Things You'll Need
- Sterile Gauze or Dressing
- Potassium Iodide
- Geiger-Muller Counter
