De-Lead soap?

[arizona98tj]

I've worked at a nuclear power plant now just short of 28 years. As you may or may not know, there are areas in the plant where radioactive contamination is present. It is typically the result of refueling outages when the primary system gets opened up, water evaporates, and particulates get airborne.

Anyway, the point I am making is that personnel working in these contaminated areas can get contamination on their skin even though they are wearing protective clothing. Before being allowed to leave the area, they are checked and if contaminated, the contamination must be removed using one or more different methods. One of the least methods, last time I checked, was using soap and water. If used, the way I was taught....one uses body temperature water. Why? Cold water causes the pores on your skin to close and retain the contamination that is already there. Water too warm causes the pores on your skin to open and allows the contamination to get deeper into your skin. I suppose the folks that do it professionally for a living could be all wrong about it, but I doubt it. Me....I'll follow the training I received as I see little if any difference between removing particulates from my skin, be it radioactive or lead.

 

[bigfatdave]

I also use roughly body-temp water for lead removal, for the same reasons, from the same training.

Palo Verde?

 

[mope540]

If the lead dust is on your hands, it's certainly in your breathing passages and lungs too.....



DON"T panic....get detoxed and buy a gas mask that will protect you from lead dust.

 

[Aaron47pb]

Anyone with kids use the d-lead laundry detergent? I wash my clothes separately, so am I being paranoid about using the same washer as the little ones?

 

[JTHunter]

What about using something like LAVA soap with the pumice abrasive in it? Doesn't seem like a little extra "scubbing" action would hurt.

 

[PRM]

WOW!!! Can't say on this one. I've been shooting for about 50 years. Casting my own balls for BP firearms for at least 35. Don't know how many rounds I've handled. I guess it's dangerous, I've always washed up after shooting. Mainly because of powder residue and solvents from cleaning - never thought much about lead. Guess by accident, I use warm/hot water just because I don't like to wash with cold??? Must be doing something right with plain old ivory soap - no ill effects so far.

 

[Palehorseman]

Hadn't heard of de-lead soap until the last couple of months. Both the local ranges have it for customers to use after shooting. Everything lead warning I've read from ammo makers over the years said to wash your hands thoroughly after handling or shooting ammo, but said nothing about using "de-lead" soap.

What's your impression of de-lead soap? Is it necessary? Most importantly, where can I get it?

Hardware store didn't have it. Neither did gun shop or walmart. I know "the internet is your friend", but I'd just as soon buy it locally rather than paying shipping.

Thanks.

The de-lead soap is fabulous, and it works almost as good at washing off lead as whatever soap you have on the shelf at home.