How should contaminated clothing and equipment be handled after OC exposure?

• A. Remove contaminated clothing, place in labeled bag or launder according to policy, rinse equipment, and prevent secondary exposure
• B. Leave clothing on and wash later, ignore equipment
• C. Burn contaminated clothing; rinse equipment with solvent
• D. Soak clothing in bleach and reuse immediately

Answer: (A)

The main idea is immediate removal and proper containment to stop further exposure and enable effective decontamination. Contaminated clothing should be removed promptly to prevent OC from continuing to irritate skin or transfer to others. Place the clothing in a labeled bag or launder it according to policy so it can be cleaned safely or disposed of properly. Rinse equipment to remove OC residue; this reduces the chance of secondary exposure and helps ensure the gear can be decontaminated safely.

Leaving clothing on and washing later allows ongoing exposure and spread of contamination. Ignoring equipment leaves residue that can cause harm or recontaminate people. Burning contaminated clothing can release toxic fumes and isn’t a standard decontamination method. Soaking clothing in bleach and reusing it immediately can be ineffective at removing OC and may damage gear or create additional hazards.