See the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan for more detailed instructions.

1. Wash the exposed area thoroughly with povidone iodine and copious water for 15 minutes.
   • Povidone iodine is available at no cost in the Stockrooms.
   • If povidone iodine is not available, use soap.
2. Flush with clean water (or sterile saline) for 15 minutes following eye exposure.
3. Seek medical attention.
   • During business hours in Chicago, contact Northwestern Medicine at 312-926-8282.
   • During business hours in Evanston, contact Endeavor Health at 847-657-1700.
   • After hours go to the nearest emergency room (Northwestern Memorial in Chicago or Evanston Hospital in Evanston) and inform your treatment team the exposure happened at work.

1. Flush immediately with large volumes of water.
2. Remove all contaminated clothing while continuing to flush with water.
3. Have a co-worker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).
4. Continue to flush until help arrives.

1. Immediately go to the nearest eyewash station.
2. Holding the eyes open, flush into and under the eyelids.
3. Have a co-worker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).
4. Continue to flush until help arrives.

1. Immediately immerse contaminated skin in warm water (not hot).
2. Have a co-worker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).
3. Continue to warm until help arrives.

1. Irrigate contaminated eyes and mucous membranes for 15 minutes with warm water.
2. Have a co-worker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).

Skin Exposure

1. Immediately move the victim under a safety shower or other water source and flush the affected area thoroughly.
2. Have a co-worker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).
3. Remove all contaminated clothing while continuing to flush with water.
4. Rinse for 5 minutes, then don a fresh glove and gently apply calcium gluconate to the affected skin area.
5. If no gel is available, continue rinsing until medical help arrives.

Eye Exposure

1. Immediately use the eyewash.
2. Have a coworker call 911 (if not available call 911 yourself).

1. Do not panic. Radioactive contamination can be removed.
2. Remove all potentially contaminated clothing. Set aside for collection by Research Safety.
3. For unprotected skin that may be contaminated, begin washing immediately with plenty of soap and warm water in the nearest sink.
4. Have a colleague contact Research Safety immediately.
5. Continue washing until help arrives, avoid scrubbing or damaging the skin.
6. If appropriate for the isotopes involved you may use a hand-held survey instrument as you wash, then monitor your progress.

1. Warn all persons nearby.
2. Turn off any ignition sources such as burners, motors, and other spark-producing equipment.
3. Leave the room and close the door if possible.
4. Call University Police at 456 to report the hazardous material spill. University Police will contact Research Safety emergency response personnel at any time to respond to hazardous material spills.

1. Alert persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
2. Evaluate the toxicity, flammability, and other hazardous properties of the chemical as well as the size and location of the spill (for example, chemical fume hood or elevator) to determine whether evacuation or additional assistance is necessary. Large or toxic spills are beyond the scope of this procedure.
3. Contain any volatile material within a room by keeping doors closed. Increase exhaust efficiency by minimizing sash height of the chemical fume hood or activating the emergency purge, if available.
4. Consult your Safety Designate, the laboratory emergency plan, or procedures in the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan, or call Research Safety for correct cleaning procedures.
5. Obtain cleaning equipment and protective gear from Research Safety, if needed.
6. Wear protective equipment such as goggles, apron, laboratory coat, gloves, shoe covers, or respirator. Base the selection of the equipment on the hazard.
7. First cordon off the spill area to prevent inadvertently spreading the contamination over a much larger area.
8. Absorb liquid spills using paper towels, spill pillows, vermiculite, or sand. Place the spill pillow over the spill and draw the free liquid into the pillow. Sprinkle vermiculite or sand over the surface of the free liquid.
9. Place the used pillows or absorbent materials in plastic bags for disposal along with contaminated disposable gear, such as gloves.
10. Neutralize spills of corrosives and absorb, if appropriate. Sweep up waste and place in plastic bags for disposal.
11. Complete a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request. Research Safety will pick up the wastes.

1. Do not panic. The key objective is to limit the spread of potential contamination.
2. Move items out of the vicinity of the spill to limit contamination.
3. Do your best to limit the movement of spilled materials with absorbent paper, spill pads, etc.
4. Warn others to stay away from any area that may be contaminated.
5. Remove any potentially contaminated garments.
6. Evacuate the area, leaving all potentially contaminated items behind.
7. Immediately contact Research Safety.

1. Do not panic. The key objective is to limit the spread of potential contamination.
2. Warn others to stay away from any area that may be contaminated.
3. Survey your hands, sleeves and feet for potential contamination with a handheld survey meter.
4. Remove any contaminated garments - your lab coat, for example.
5. You may also take an initial set of swipes for low-energy isotopes. Set them aside for counting after the clean-up.
   • With low-energy isotopes, always assume your gloves are contaminated and change them frequently.
6. Stop and limit the movement of the spill using absorbent bench paper, paper towels or wipes.
   • If the material is dry, use a damp paper towel or Kimwipe to facilitate pick-up.
7. Work from the least contaminated area (the perimeter of the spill) toward the most contaminated area.
8. Place contaminated items in an Research Safety approved radioactive waste container(s).
9. Follow established methods for decontaminating non-porous surfaces. Resurvey the area to measure effectiveness.
10. Continue to clean and resurvey the surfaces until at or near background readings.
11. Notify Research Safety for additional help and follow-up.