SUPPLIES AND FOOD.-Supplies and food can be protected from residual radiation by storage in dust-proof containers. Although the outside of the containers may become contaminated, most of this radioactive material can be removed by washing. The container can then be opened and the contents removed and used without fear of causing significant contamination.

The outer wrappings on medical supplies and the peelings on fruit and vegetables also afford protection to their contents. After carefully removing the outer coverings and checking the contents, it may be found that these materials will be safe to use.

CLOTHING.-Contaminated clothing should be handled with care. Such clothing should never be casually placed on furniture, hung on walls, or dropped on floors, but, instead, should be stored in garbage cans or disposable containers. If these are not available, contaminated clothing should be placed on pieces of paper large enough to be rolled and secured. Grossly contaminated clothing should be properly disposed of by an authorized method, such as burial at sea or in deep pits or trenches, whichever is appropriate. If clothing is in short supply, lightly contaminated clothing may be salvaged by special laundering. Three washings in hot water with detergent should be sufficient. To be sure that this procedure has freed the clothing from radioactive material, each article should be monitored before it is released for reuse. Rubber and plastic materials are readily decontaminated in a warm detergent wash.

SUMMARY
In this chapter we discussed the recognition and treatment of chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) hazards, and the Medical Department's role in meeting the medical aspects of CBR defense. These included protection from CBR hazards, mass-casualty decontamination, decontamination stations, and supplies for decontamination.