Clothing Removal as Decontamination

Removing contaminated outer clothing is the single most effective decontamination action available to a civilian in the immediate aftermath of chemical, biological, or radiological exposure. Studies consistently show that clothing removal eliminates approximately 80% of surface contamination. Done correctly, it reduces continued exposure significantly. Done incorrectly — dragging contaminated fabric across the face — it can increase exposure to the most vulnerable areas.

Why This Works So Well

Contamination from external hazards lands primarily on clothing, not directly on skin (except for the face and hands if unprotected). The clothing acts as a reservoir, holding contamination in contact with the body. Removing it removes the source of ongoing absorption. The underlying skin, once exposed, can then be washed.

This is as true for chemical agents as for radiological particles and biological material.

The Correct Sequence

1. Identify What You're Wearing

Before starting, assess your clothing:

• Layered clothing (coat or jacket over shirt): remove outer layers first
• Pull-over items (hoodies, t-shirts): require special technique to avoid face contamination
• Button-front or zip-front items: safest to remove with minimal face contact
• Shoes and socks: contaminated footwear carries contamination everywhere; remove early

2. Outer Layers First

Remove the outermost layer first:

1. Unbutton, unzip, or tear fasteners open.
2. Pull arms out without pulling the fabric across your face.
3. Drop the garment away from you; do not bundle it toward your body.

3. Pull-Over Items — The Safe Technique

For T-shirts, hoodies, and other pull-over garments:

Option A — Roll and pull:

1. Grasp the hem of the garment at the bottom.
2. Pull the garment up over the torso, rolling the outer (contaminated) surface inward as you go.
3. With the outer surface now facing inward, pull the neck opening away from your face — stretch it wide and pull it forward rather than up.
4. Pull arms out; the contaminated surface has been contained inside the rolled fabric.

Option B — Cut it off: If scissors or a knife are available, cut the garment off from the hem upward. Cutting along the sides and shoulders avoids any contact with the face entirely and is the fastest method. Carry a small pair of scissors in your emergency kit for this purpose.

⚠️ The most common mistake is pulling a T-shirt straight up and over the face in the normal way — this drags the contaminated outer surface directly across the nose, eyes, and mouth. This is the opposite of decontamination.

4. Lower Body Clothing

Trousers, skirts, and underwear:

1. Unbutton or unzip; push down to the ankles.
2. Remove shoes or boots before pulling trousers off the feet (contaminated shoes contaminate trousers).
3. Dispose with other contaminated items.

5. Shoes and Boots

Shoes and boots carry significant contamination from ground contact:

1. Remove and place in the contamination bag.
2. Remove socks as well — they may have absorbed contamination through the shoe material.

6. Jewellery and Accessories

Remove all:

• Watches, rings, bracelets — crevices trap contamination
• Necklaces, earrings — trap particulates
• Bags, backpacks — if contaminated, remove straps carefully and bag separately

7. Bagging Contaminated Items

All removed clothing and accessories should be placed in plastic bags:

1. Use the largest bags available.
2. Double-bag if possible.
3. Seal the bag securely.
4. Leave the bag outside — do not bring it into a clean building, vehicle, or shelter.
5. Label the bag if possible — "CONTAMINATED" — to prevent others from handling it.
6. Authorities will advise on disposal after the incident.

What to Wear After Removal

If you have clean, sealed clothing available:

• Dress from the inside out — underwear first, then layers
• Wear only items that have been in sealed containers, away from any contamination

If no clean clothing is available:

• Prioritise covering exposed skin with any available clean material
• In radiological or biological incidents, any covering is better than none
• In chemical incidents, a fresh layer reduces ongoing skin contact with residual agent

Special Situations

Suits and Formalwear

Office and formal clothing are typically button-front or zip — remove normally, being careful not to contaminate the face when handling the collar.

Full-Length Coats

Remove from the top: unbutton, pull shoulders off first, then pull arms out without dragging the collar across the face.

PPE (Protective Equipment) If You Have It

Gloves worn during removal significantly reduce hand contamination:

• Wear gloves while removing clothing
• Remove gloves last, turning them inside out as you remove them
• Bag with other contaminated items

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Quick Reference

Item	Removal Method
Jacket / coat	Unzip; shoulders off first; arms out without face contact
T-shirt / hoodie	Roll outer surface inward; pull neck away from face; OR cut off
Trousers	Unbutton; remove shoes first; push down and off
Shoes / boots	Remove before trousers come off feet; bag separately
Jewellery	Remove everything; bag with clothing
Bag contaminated items	Double-bag; seal; leave outside clean areas
Clean clothing	From sealed supply only; inside-out order