What is the recommended method for decontaminating OC-contaminated clothing?

• A. Washed in a washing machine.
• B. Dry cleaned only.
• C. Boiled and air-dried.
• D. Discarded without washing.

Answer: (A)

Removing OC residues from clothing is about washing away the oily contaminants, not letting them linger on fabric. Washing the clothes in a machine with detergent uses soap to emulsify and lift the oil-based OC components from the fibers, then rinse them away with water, reducing the chance of transfer or re-exposure. Dry cleaning isn’t as reliable for OC residues and can spread contaminants, while boiling could damage fabrics and isn’t an effective decontamination method. Discarding the clothing avoids cleaning it, which wastes resources and increases exposure risk. If washing isn’t possible for a delicate item, hand washing with warm water and detergent is a suitable alternative, but the goal is to remove residues through washing.