By what percentage can external contamination of radiation be reduced by removing external clothing?

Removing external clothing can significantly reduce the external contamination of radiation because clothing can trap radioactive particles and act as a medium for their transfer to the skin. When external clothing is taken off, it effectively eliminates a layer that could carry contaminants, allowing for substantial decontamination.

Research indicates that the removal of clothing can be one of the most effective decontamination strategies, often achieving around a 90% reduction in contamination. This is due to the fact that a large portion of radioactive materials tends to adhere to clothing rather than the skin or body. Consequently, by removing this clothing, the likelihood of radiation exposure is greatly minimized, which is critical in managing health risks associated with radiation.

Other percentages would imply less effectiveness in achieving decontamination, which does not align with the established understanding of decontamination processes. The 90% reduction figure highlights the importance of rapid and effective action in minimizing dosimetric impact from external radiation exposure.