Contamination results when a radioisotope as gas, liquid, or solid is released into the environment and then ingested, inhaled, or deposited on the body surface.
How to diagnose:
Scan with radiation detection meter
As appropriate: swab orifices, check 24-hour urine/stool for radioactivity
Whole-body scanner or hospital nuclear medicine equipment
External Contamination
External contamination results when radioactive material is deposited on skin, hair, eyes, or other external structures, much like mud or dust.
External contamination stops when the material is removed by shedding contaminated clothes and/or completely washing off the contamination.