In movies, during nuclear fallout, people in hazmat suits are usually seen being sprayed down by a liquid (seemingly to control the radiation) but if Radiation can penetrate clothes and metal then how can this liquid be used to control the spread of Radiation?

Question

In movies, during nuclear fallout, people in hazmat suits are usually seen being sprayed down by a liquid (seemingly to control the radiation) but if Radiation can penetrate clothes and metal then how can this liquid be used to control the spread of Radiation?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Radiation penetrates all sorts of things, but radiation is produced by decaying atoms which are usually found in bigger chunks (think ash or dust). They wash them off so the wearer of the suit doesn’t pick them up/breathe them in when they take off the suit.