Decon Equipment List

• 2008 Nov 1

Editor's note: This online-exclusive list applies to all the chemical threats discussed in Response Guide For Chemical & Radiologic Threats: Are We Prepared?, a supplement to November 2008 JEMS, FireRescue Magazine and Law Officer Magazine.

All personnel and victims exposed to a chemical or radiologic weapon must be decontaminated to prevent secondary contamination to transport vehicles, hospitals and care providers. Decon for nerve agent exposures can be accomplished with soap and water or a 10 to 1 solution of water to bleach. Equipment for any decontamination set-up includes:

• Hospital greens & surgical gown (waterproof, with any openings in the gown taped shut)
• Surgical trousers taped to shoes
• Cap, face shield, booties (waterproof)
• Plastic apron
• Double gloves (inner layer taped to surgical gown)
• Plastic (polyethylene) floor and wall coverings
• Ventilation filter paper
• Drapes
• Plastic bags
• Butcher paper
• Large garbage cans
• Decontamination stretcher with drainage container tank
• N95 masks
• Level A, B, C PPE (depending on response role)
• Neoprene industrial gloves    

For radiation exposure also consider:

• Radiation detector (alpha, beta, gamma)
• Pencil dosimeters
• Thermo luminescent dosimeters
• Survey meters
• Lead storage containers
• Radiation signs & tape  

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