What is the procedure for decontaminating furniture and clothing affected by OC?

• A. Wash with soap and water; clothing can be washed in a washing machine.
• B. Wipe with a dry cloth only.
• C. Use bleach on fabrics without washing.
• D. Ventilate for 24 hours and then discard.

Answer: (A)

OC is an oil-based irritant that tends to cling to fabrics and furniture. The most effective way to decontaminate is to remove the residue with soap and water, since soap acts as a surfactant that emulsifies the oily OC so water can rinse it away. For clothing, run the items through a regular washing cycle with detergent according to the care label; machine washing ensures thorough removal of residues.

Wiping with a dry cloth won’t remove the oil and can spread it to other areas. Bleach isn’t appropriate for fabrics affected by OC and can damage materials. Merely ventilating for a day doesn’t remove the contaminant, and discarding items isn’t necessary if proper washing is possible.