What should be done with contaminated clothing after OC spray exposure?

• A. Wash the clothing only, without removing it.
• B. Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected skin with soap and water to remove residue.
• C. Ignore the contamination and continue with the activity.
• D. Place the contaminated clothing in direct sunlight to dry.

Answer: (B)

After OC spray exposure, the priority is to stop continued contact with the contaminated material and remove the residue from the skin. The correct approach is to take off any clothing that has come into contact with the spray and wash the affected skin with soap and water to remove the residue. OC spray is oil-based and tends to cling to both fabric and skin, so leaving the clothing on would keep transferring irritant to the skin and eyes. Washing with soap helps emulsify the oily residue and rinse it away more effectively than water alone. In contrast, just washing the clothing without removing it can leave residue on the skin, ignoring or disregarding contamination can lead to ongoing irritation, and placing the clothing in sunlight does not reliably remove the chemical. Removing the clothing first minimizes exposure, then cleansing the skin ensures the residue is actually removed.