Contaminations with radionuclides and medical care: example of the external decontamination using Cevidra^R cream, a cleansing emulsion with carboxylic calixarene

In the nuclear environment, there are many measures to limit the risk of contamination with radionuclides. They can be means of source containment or the use of personal protective equipment. As in any activity using hazardous materials, a residual risk remains and workers can be contaminated, mainly by inhalation, injury and skin exposure. In addition, the terrorist threat is another likely source of contamination by making an explosive (dirty bomb) or by aerial dispersion of radioactive materials. Depending on the physicochemical characteristics and the conditions of exposure, contamination may be absorbed and reach the bloodstream. Subsequently, the absorbed contaminants are distributed in the target organs according to a tropism, specific to each element. This is why the initiation of the decontamination procedure must be as rapid as possible to reduce the absorbed fraction and as effective as possible for maximum decontamination. Concerning the medical care of internal contamination, systemic treatments may be prescribed. In addition, there is also a treatment that can be used earlier, and not subject to a medical prescription in case of external contamination (skin and its appendages). In this context, the cleansing emulsion with carboxylic calixarene has a role to play in care. This product is a medical device marketed under the name of Cevidra^R cream. The studies carried out on this treatment have shown that the chelating and washing capacities provide better efficacy than the conventional soap. (author)