Human decontamination

Under decontamination, decontamination in Austria, abbreviation: Deko, decon, means the removal of hazardous contaminants ( contamination ) of persons, objects, or unprotected surfaces and thus belongs to NBC. The hazards can thereby be radioactive, biological or chemical nature. In pharmacy disinfection measures are called in cleanrooms decontamination.

• 3.1 Military area
• 3.2 Fire & Emergency

Basics

Are already in a fire with the fire gases and the ashes of many harmful emissions, which settle in the fire protective clothing, which makes it necessary for a respiratory protection use a decontamination. Since the contaminants ( fumes ) can not be directly or easily detected, usually must be decontaminated nonspecific.

Decontamination of serious chemical, biological or radioactive pollution, caused by accidents or terrorist or military attacks must be made specific. So it must be known in order to make a statement about the degree of decontamination can both qualitatively and quantitatively the strain.

Important in any kind is the decontamination of self- protection in order to avoid risks to the persons conducting decontamination and other environmental contamination. This means that to be the agents used for decontamination and personal protective equipment, such as wash water, brushes, filters, gloves, clothing collected and properly disposed of together with the impurities.

If the object to be contaminated are moved, decontamination can take place at special decontamination areas. This can be carried out professionally by simple means provisionally or with special equipment. But is common to both the organization of such a course where there is a polluted and a pure zone.

Limits

During the decontaminating the people working here are loaded, for example by radioactive radiation. Therefore, each person must be equipped in the event of radioactive contamination with a dosimeter. Before thresholds are exceeded, for example, the annual dose the cast must be changed.

People are decontaminated in a three - or four-step process:

• Removal of clothing
• Cleaning ( shower)
• New outfits
• Excretion ( decorporation after incorporation (medicine) )

After the sub-standard phraseology is called in the civilian sector by:

• Decontamination: describes the process.
• Decontaminate: describes the activity.

In the military field, only the first term will be used.

Types of Decontamination

Basically, there are the following types of decontamination. Accordingly, the procedure and equipment varies.

• Decontamination of surfaces ( decon - Fl)
• Decontamination of vehicles ( decon -F)
• Decontamination of equipment ( Decon -G)
• Decontamination of persons ( decon -P) Decontamination of casualties ( decon -V)
• Mass decontamination

Stages of the decontamination

In the civilian sector, these levels are distinguished by the necessary human and logistical effort, in the military after the result to be achieved.

Military area

• Immediate decontamination:

The decontamination measures to be carried out in self and buddy aid and enable the restricted further implementation of the order for a limited time. A reduction in the extra NBC protection is not possible.

• Operational or Behelfsdekontamination:

The decontamination measures which are necessary to fully further implementation of the order. Examples: decontamination of the supply openings of battle tanks, of telephones, etc. A reduction in the personal NBC protection is not necessarily possible and must be examined case by case.

• Thorough decontamination:

The decontamination measures that allow for unrestricted use of the material by adults in normal handling. The residual risk ( ICt5 ) is defined and must be adhered to. A reduction in the personal NBC protection is possible.

• Return decontamination:

The measures that allow unrestricted use of the material by any person and allow the global deployability of the material. From the material no hazard is due more. Example: changing the fluids, lubricants, of adsorbing plastic parts, etc. This stage is not defined in the Armed Forces and is considered part of the thorough decontamination.

• B decontamination:

Regardless of the above classification, the decontamination of biological hazards due to a special challenge for the forces dar. Due to an increase in the risk especially in the context of terrorist threats pilot projects have been started.

Fire & Emergency

After the German FwDV 500 units in the NBC deployment, decontamination is divided in 3 stages. In addition to these three decon -stage compliance with a use points hygiene is with every use, even when operations are not in connection with hazardous substances, based on admission, for example, must be dispensed food intake as well as to the enjoyment of tobacco in use point region.

• Decon Level I ( Emergency Decon ):

The decon - Level I can be made from almost any fire department and must be able to be performed by each fire department with the appropriate ABC - response personnel. This Dekonstufe must be established as soon as an application in conjunction with NBC risks performed or is foreseen. Typically, a water supply in the form of a stirrup pump and consists of a large square sheets enough to take this step in operation. It is also important here is that a strict separation of black and white area is carried out in order to prevent cross-contamination. Once available, should be used to a higher Dekonstufe.

• Decon Level II ( Standard Decon ):

This Dekonstufe is the standard decontamination when using with special equipment ( CSA, contamination of protective clothing, etc. ). Is provided the equipment usually of special hazardous substances trains.

• Decon Level III ( Advanced Decon ):

The highest Dekonstufe is established when a greater number of people to decontaminate or the pollution is no longer to get to the stage II under control. For example, is loaded on the vehicle decon -P a complete decontamination room for stage III.

Different countries concepts such as Baden -Württemberg or North Rhine-Westphalia show the increased attention towards the decontamination of non-ambulatory, lying or injured persons ( " decon - V"). One important approach is the implementation of this power in the medical task force of the Covenant.

Built AB- decon -Z

Injured Transport System

Washing a stripped injured

Decontamination station, installed with equipment from the decon -P