A method of decontaminating porous surfaces contaminated with water
soluble radionuclides by contacting the contaminated porous surfaces with
an ionic solution capable of solubilizing radionuclides present in the
porous surfaces followed by contacting the solubilized radionuclides with
a gel containing a radionuclide chelator to bind the radionuclides to the
gel, and physically removing the gel from the porous surfaces. A dry mix
is also disclosed of a cross-linked ionic polymer salt, a linear ionic
polymer salt, a radionuclide chelator, and a gel formation controller
present in the range of from 0% to about 40% by weight of the dry mix,
wherein the ionic polymer salts are granular and the non cross-linked
ionic polymer salt is present as a minor constituent.