Fixed contamination is characterized by which statement?

• A. It can be easily removed with soap and water
• B. Cannot easily come off or be transferred; welding and grinding can cause it to become airborne
• C. It only affects clothing
• D. It is not hazardous

Answer: (B)

Fixed contamination sticks to surfaces and isn’t removed easily by simple cleaning. It stays attached until proper decontamination is performed, which means it can pose a hazard because disturbing the surface can release material into the air. Activities like welding or grinding can shake it loose and make it airborne, increasing the risk of inhalation or spreading to other areas. That description—being hard to remove and capable of becoming airborne when disturbed—best captures how fixed contamination behaves. The other statements don’t fit: soap and water won’t reliably remove fixed contamination, it isn’t limited to clothing, and it remains hazardous rather than being harmless.