Principles of Dermal Decontamination

General decontaminant of choice for most skin exposures?

Copious water

When should soap be added?

Adherent xenobiotics

What other body sites should be irrigated after airborne exposure?

Mouth; nose; eyes; ear canals

Which alkali metals should not be irrigated with water?

Sodium; potassium; lithium; cesium; rubidium

Which metal dusts may ignite or explode with water?

Magnesium; sulfur; strontium; titanium; uranium; yttrium; zinc; zirconium

How should reactive metal residues be removed?

Mechanical removal with forceps/gauze/towels and stored in mineral oil

Why is water problematic for phenol decontamination?

Phenol thickens and becomes harder to remove

Preferred practical conclusion for phenol skin decontamination in this text?

Tepid water

Why should calcium oxide be mechanically removed before irrigation?

Water forms Ca(OH)2 and releases heat