What is the primary decontamination principle for chlorine gas exposure?

• A. Move patient to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin and eyes with copious water
• B. Remove contaminated clothing, move to fresh air, rinse skin and eyes
• C. Rinse skin and eyes, move to fresh air, remove clothing
• D. Move patient to shelter and wait

Answer: (A)

When chlorine gas exposure occurs, the first priority is to reduce ongoing exposure by getting the person out of the contaminated environment and into fresh air. This minimizes inhalation injury since chlorine irritates the airway rapidly. Next, remove contaminated clothing to stop further skin contact and reduce the amount of chemical being absorbed or continuing to off-gas from the clothing. Finally, rinse the skin and eyes with copious water to wash away any residual chemical and limit tissue damage from contact. The reason this order is best is that inhalation from the gas is the quickest and most dangerous route of injury, so getting to fresh air is the initial step, followed by eliminating the source of dermal exposure (the clothing), then flushing the exposed areas. Waiting in shelter and delaying decontamination would allow the gas to linger and cause more harm, and rinsing before removing clothing would not effectively remove the chemical from the skin and garments.