Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of epidermal radioactive decontamination solutions

Objectives Handling radioactive material safely is one of the numerous responsibilities of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The volume of unsealed radioactive material handled on a daily basis in Nuclear Medicine increases the chance of skin contamination. Multiple skin decontamination solutions on the market have been tested for effectiveness. However, the testing procedures have not replicated real life scenarios. The purpose of this research was to develop a procedure that would resemble a “real world” work scenario in which skin is contaminated with a small amount of radioactivity, then washed with commercially available radioactive decontamination solutions shortly after contamination.

Methods Pig skin, which was rinsed and dried to remove dirt and grime, was contaminated with a random approximated amount of Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate, smeared around with a cotton swab, and allowed to set for one minute. After rinsing the skin with warm water for 30 seconds to remove superficial contamination that did not soak in, it was counted using a Geiger Mueller counter to obtain an initial count. The skin was then washed three separate times, for 30 seconds, using the same decontamination solution. Each solution was tested 5 times. These solutions included: Radiacwash, RPI Lift Away, Bind-It, Dawn dish soap, Hydrogen Peroxide, Technetium Wash, and normal hand soap and water.

Results Without rubbing in the contamination or allowing it to sit on the skin too long, it was determined that washing with soap and warm water was equally as effective as using decontamination products. Thinking that different isotopes would yield different results, a few trials utilizing Ga-67 and In-111 were performed and met with similar results.

Conclusions Overall, there appear to be no special ingredients in any of the commercially available decontamination solutions that will help remove contamination from an individual’s skin more effectively than regular soap and water. So, from an economic standpoint, don’t waste your money.