If urine spills occur after radioactive iodine therapy, who should clean it?

• A. Hazmat team
• B. Custodial staff
• C. The patient
• D. No special cleaning required

Answer: (A)

Spills of urine after radioactive iodine therapy must be cleaned by radiological safety–trained personnel because the material can be radioactive and requires proper containment, monitoring, and disposal. A hazmat/ radiation safety team has the right PPE, survey instruments, and procedures to assess contamination, prevent spread, and collect waste in designated radioactive containers, then verify the area is clean with a wipe test before the space is released. Custodial staff typically aren’t trained for radiological decontamination and could spread contamination or expose themselves. The patient should not attempt cleanup, as this would increase personal exposure and risk further spread. No special cleaning is not appropriate because radiological spills require controlled, trained handling.