What should be done if contamination is suspected on personal clothing?

When contamination is suspected on personal clothing, the appropriate first step is to inspect the clothing for contamination. This is critical because it allows the individual to determine the extent and nature of the contamination before taking further action. By conducting a careful inspection, one can identify whether the clothing is actually contaminated and the specific areas that may require decontamination.

This approach is also important in maintaining safety. Jumping directly to changing clothes without first inspecting can lead to unnecessary exposure or loss of potentially usable garments. The inspection should ideally involve monitoring with appropriate detection equipment to confirm contamination levels, which can inform the proper response.

Determining contamination before changing clothes helps in managing the decontamination process effectively and ensures that any necessary protective measures are taken. This minimizes the risk of spreading contamination to clean areas or other individuals.