The nature of the radiological, biological, and chemical contamination problem and the basic procedures to be followed when decontaminating food, galleys, spaces, and equipment are discussed in the following paragraphs.

DEFENSE AGAINST RADIOLOGICAL AGENTS

Radiological defense includes all such measures to minimize personnel and material damage from radioactivity. The basic responsibility for this function resides with the damage control organization of the ship or station. Your basic guidance in radiological defense matters will come from them. Supply department personnel are normally assigned appropriate duties according to the damage control plan. You should be aware of the plans and procedures to be followed on board your ship or station.

Emergency operations are those that immediately follow the blast. During this period, a realistic evaluation of the disaster is made and initial steps toward recovery are taken. Protective clothing monitoring equipment and decontamination gear will also be needed.

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION

Blast damage and thermal radiation may result in partial or complete destruction of messing facilities and food items. Radioactivity is important because of the effect it has on the human body. Because of its ability to penetrate matter deeply, gamma radiation is usually considered to be the most hazardous. Since the principal source of alpha particles would be the unfissioned nuclear material of the weapon, the probability of significant alpha contamination from nuclear detonation is small. Beta particles have poor penetrating ability. Ordinary clothing will stop beta particles. They enter the skin only to a depth of about one-fifth of an inch, but their ionizing power is about 100 times that of gamma rays. When ingested with food, inhaled, or admitted into the body through cuts or open wounds, beta particles meet no barriers and become particularly destructive if they are retained in the body for sometime. Therefore, in food preparation and service, all forms of radioactivity should be regarded as hazardous.

Radioactivity may be introduced into exposed materials that are close to the burst. Such items as soap, table salt, copper, or brass may become radioactive as a result of radiation (the action of neutrons). Radioactivity may also be carried by blast residues, the principal one being dust particles. A person contaminated by radioactive materials can easily contaminate an otherwise safe object or area. If the person handles foods, the foods can become contaminated. Radioactivity cannot be destroyed by cooking or sterilization; neither can it be neutralized by chemical treatment. It must be removed as completely as possible to a limit of radioactivity set by the command authority in the light of existing circumstances.

MONITORING TO DETERMINE EXTENT OF RADIOACTIVITY

Radioactive materials can only be removed by physical means. The extent of radioactivity existing in any food preparation or serving area should be determined by a survey with radiac monitoring equipment. This includes the galley utensils, food for preparation, dinnerware, the scullery, and all personnel involved in food preparation and service. If the survey so indicates, it may be necessary to reestablish the mess in another area designated as safe by the commanding officer.

The supply officer is responsible for taking the necessary precautions to make sure the food served is free from radioactive contamination. Galleys and other food preparation spaces, food, equipment, utensils, dinnerware, and personnel engaged in the foodservice operation should be carefully monitored by qualified persons with appropriate monitoring equipment to learn the presence and the extent of radioactive contamination.

Decontamination operations should be carried out as required. Food items in glass or metal containers or sealed in barrier-wrap packages are the least likely to be contaminated. These should, nevertheless, be monitored, and care should be exercised upon opening such packages to avoid contamination. The fresh water supply should be monitored. Food items should be monitored in their dry state because dilution with water will substantially lower the beta readings and the presence of alpha particles may not even show up on radiac instruments. All food items, when they have been monitored, must be clearly marked as Contaminated or Safe for Use. All food items should be cleared for use after monitoring if found to be within acceptable limits established by the local command according to the Radiation Health Protection Manual, NAVMED P-5055.