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The clean-up procedures listed below are based on NAVMED P-5055. Your ship or station may
have additional procedures that you should follow. Be sure you are aware of your command’s policy
concerning decontamination procedures before you begin working on equipment containing radioactive
tubes. Some important instructions and precautions for the proper handling of radioactive tubes are listed
below:
1. Do not remove radioactive tubes from their carton until you are ready to install them.
2. When you remove a tube containing a radioactive material from equipment, place it immediately
in an appropriate carton to prevent possible breakage.
3. Never carry a radioactive tube in a manner that may cause it to break.
4. If a radioactive tube that you are handling or removing breaks, notify the proper authority and
obtain the services of qualified radiological personnel immediately.
5. Isolate the immediate area of exposure to protect other personnel from possible contamination and
exposure.
6. Follow the established procedures set forth in NAVMED P-5055.
7. Do not permit contaminated material to come in contact with any part of your body.
8. Take care to avoid breathing any vapor or dust that may be released by tube breakage.
9. Wear rubber or plastic gloves at all times during cleanup and decontamination procedures.
10. Use forceps to remove large fragments of a broken radioactive tube. Remove the remaining small
particles with a designated vacuum cleaner, using an approved disposal collection bag. If a
vacuum cleaner is not designated, use a wet cloth to wipe the affected area. In this case, be sure to
make one stroke at a time. DO NOT use a back-and-forth motion. After each stroke, fold the cloth
in half, always holding one clean side and using the other for the new stroke. Dispose of the cloth
in the manner stated in instruction 14 below.
11. Do not bring food or drink into the contaminated area or near any radioactive material.
12. Immediately after leaving a contaminated area, if you handled radioactive material in any way,
remove all of your clothing. Also wash your hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water, and
rinse with clean water.
13. Notify a medical officer immediately if you sustain a wound from a sharp radioactive object. If a
medical officer cannot reach the scene immediately, stimulated mild bleeding by applying pressure
about the wound and by using suction bulbs. DO NOT USE YOUR MOUTH if the wound is a
puncture-type wound. If the opening is small, make an incision to promote free bleeding, and to
make the wound easier to clean and flush.
14. When you clean a contaminated area, seal all debris, cleaning cloths, and collection bags in a
container such as a plastic bag, heavy wax paper, or glass jar, and place them in a steel can until
they can be disposed of according to existing instructions.
15. Use soap and water to decontaminate all tools and implements you used to remove the radioactive
substance. Monitor the tools and implements for radiation with an authorized radiac set to ensure
that they are not contaminated.
