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7. After use
7.1 Initial decontamination
After a response in hazardous environment, the suit must be decontaminated before
taking it off, to protect the wearer from contamination.
• Make sure to have an assistant for the decontamination.
• The assistant also needs to wear suitable protective and possibly respiratory protection.
• Rinse the suit with plenty of water, preferably with added detergent.
7.2 Taking off the suit
After decontamination, take off the suit in reverse order of that described for donning
above, and have someone assist you.
7.3 Final decontamination
If the initial decontamination is not enough, a second decontamination is necessary.
• Use protective clothing/equipment when handling the contaminated suit.
• Acids and Alkaline chemicals can be decontaminated using large amount of water.
When the rinsing water has pH 7 the suit is clean.
• Inorganic chemicals can often be decontaminated using large amount of water and
detergent.
• Volatile chemicals can be aired out of the suit. Hang the suit outdoors or in a
well-ventilated area with the zipper fully open. Check the air for residual chemicals
by using simple gas detecting tubes.
• Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) can be decontaminated using e.g. 30% calcium
hypochlorite water solution.
• For chemicals such as oil/petroleum and other organic chemicals, special
decontamination agents may be needed. The type of agents available differ between
countries and regions. Contact a local supplier.
• Biological agents (i.e. bacteria, viruses) can be decontaminated using e.g. 3% hydrogen
peroxide water solution or other similar disinfectants.