Selfcontamination

Self-contamination refers to the unintended transfer of hazardous material from a contaminated object or surface onto a person or into their surroundings. This can occur when handling contaminated equipment, touching contaminated surfaces, or during the removal of protective clothing, leading to exposure of skin, mucous membranes, or inhalation of aerosols. The term is commonly used in radiological protection, chemical safety, and infectious disease control to describe both external and internal exposure pathways. External contamination involves particles or liquids that remain on the skin or clothing, while internal contamination results from absorption or ingestion after transfer.

In practice, self-contamination can arise during routine tasks in laboratories, medical facilities, industrial settings, and emergency response. Risk factors include inadequate cleaning of tools, improper donning and doffing of protective equipment, poor hand hygiene, contaminated gloves, and failure to follow decontamination procedures. Prevention emphasizes containment and hygiene: appropriate use of personal protective equipment, training on correct doffing techniques, hand hygiene, environmental monitoring, and established decontamination protocols for skin, clothing, and surfaces. After potential exposure or at the end of a shift, decontamination steps should be followed to reduce residual risk and prevent spread to others. The concept underscores the importance of procedural safety culture, buddy-system checks, and clear guidelines to minimize opportunities for self-contamination and secondary exposure.