Ionizing radiation (gamma rays, alpha, and beta particles) carries enough energy to strip electrons from atoms, causing cellular damage. The ability to “get rid of” radiation depends on the nature of the exposure: whether the radioactive material is external or incorporated internally. External contamination requires physical removal of the source, while internal contamination requires specialized medical intervention to block absorption or hasten excretion.
Immediate Decontamination Procedures
External contamination requires immediate physical removal of the source from the body and clothing. This prompt action reduces the overall radiation dose received and limits the chance of the material entering the body through inhalation, ingestion, or open wounds. The primary goal is to minimize the time the material spends in contact with the skin.
Removing contaminated clothing quickly is the first step, as clothing can trap up to 90% of external radioactive particles. Removed items should be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent the spread of contamination to others or to clean areas. Afterward, the skin should be flushed with lukewarm water and washed gently with mild soap.
Use a soft cloth and avoid vigorous scrubbing or harsh chemical agents; abrading the skin can create openings that allow radioactive material to enter the bloodstream. Cleanse hair, fingernails, and any open wounds, as these areas easily trap contaminants. Monitoring follows initial washing to determine if further cycles are necessary to reduce contamination to safe levels.
Medical Countermeasures for Internal Exposure
When radioactive material has entered the body through inhalation, ingestion, or wounds, highly specific medical countermeasures are required. These treatments, known as decorporation agents, work by either blocking the body’s uptake of the radionuclide or by binding to it to accelerate its excretion. These agents are prescription-only and are administered under the supervision of medical professionals.
One well-known countermeasure is Potassium Iodide (KI), a blocking agent used specifically for internal contamination with radioactive iodine, such as Iodine-131. When taken promptly, KI floods the thyroid gland with stable iodine, effectively saturating it and preventing the absorption of the harmful radioactive form. This action protects the thyroid from potential cancer or damage.
For internal exposure to heavy metals like plutonium, americium, or curium, chelating agents such as Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) are administered. DTPA binds to these metal ions, forming a stable complex that the body excretes through the urine. Two forms, Calcium-DTPA (Ca-DTPA) and Zinc-DTPA (Zn-DTPA), are used. Ca-DTPA is typically the initial treatment choice for the first 24 hours due to its higher binding affinity.
Another type of decorporation agent is Prussian Blue, chemically known as ferric hexacyanoferrate, which is used to treat internal contamination with radioactive cesium-137 or thallium. This compound works within the gastrointestinal tract as a binder, trapping the radionuclides and preventing their re-absorption into the bloodstream. Once bound, the radioactive material is safely eliminated from the body through the feces. This treatment, which is administered orally, shortens the biological half-life of these elements in the body, thereby reducing the total internal radiation dose.
Managing Daily and Low-Dose Exposure
The general public frequently encounters low levels of ionizing radiation from natural background sources, certain building materials, and medical procedures like X-rays or CT scans. Since this low-dose radiation does not involve a specific, removable contaminant, the concept of “getting rid of” it with drugs or washing is not applicable. Instead, management focuses on minimizing exposure and supporting the body’s natural processes.
The foundational principles for radiation protection are Time, Distance, and Shielding, an approach commonly referred to as ALARA, or “As Low As Reasonably Achievable.” Minimizing the time spent near a source, maximizing the distance from it (since exposure intensity decreases rapidly with distance), and utilizing appropriate shielding materials like concrete or lead are the most effective ways to manage daily exposure. For example, doubling the distance from a point source reduces the dose rate by a factor of four.
When considering medical imaging, the principle of justification is paramount, meaning that any procedure involving radiation should only be performed when the diagnostic benefit outweighs the potential risk. Physicians manage this by optimizing the dose and ensuring only necessary scans are conducted. While the body naturally processes and eliminates the effects of low-level exposure over time, prevention remains the primary strategy.
There is a common misconception that specific diets, herbal supplements, or “detox” products can clear radiation from the body. Scientific evidence does not support these methods as a substitute for approved medical countermeasures or natural elimination. While a healthy lifestyle supports normal body functions, including the liver and kidneys, these practices do not accelerate the removal of radionuclides like specialized decorporation agents.