Where can Tritium be found?
In Nature
- In small amounts in water and air.
- Tritium is colorless and cannot be seen.
Human Made Sources
- Glow in the dark items such as some exit signs, watches, key chains, and jewelry.
- Certain military equipment, such as weapon sights and compasses.
If I'm Responsible for Devices Containing Tritium, How Should I Prepare?
- Create a response plan and kit
- Learn to identify the signs of a tritium leak.
Those responsible for tritium‑containing devices should consider creating a response plan and kit commensurate with the amount of tritium in their care. The plan should cover evacuation, posting, notification, bioassay, survey requirements, and associated standard operating procedures (SOP). A kit should consist of a copy of the response plan and SOPs, bags and tags, signs and tape, checklists, worksheets, layouts of the area(s), bioassay containers, and survey equipment (e.g., swipes, gloves, markers, etc.). Plans and kits should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed, especially points of contact.
Loss of illumination is the first and most important indicator of a tritium leak. If the glass breaks, or the glow becomes dimmer, tritium might have escaped and spread to nearby areas. Tritium cannot be detected by common handheld radiation detectors, which is why swipes are needed.
What Should I do if Tritium is released?
Stay calm, activate your response plan, including notifying authorities:
- Unit radiation safety officer.
- Chain of command.
- Defense Health Agency Radiation Safety Office *
- The Army Licensee for tritium (USA TACOM Radiation Safety Office) *
*The Army licensee for tritium or the Defense Health Agency, as applicable, will notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Handling the Leaking Device:
- Vacate the area around the broken device.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Double-bag the device in plastic. Take or bring the bag to the device;
DO NOT move the device to another location to bag it. Invert the clear plastic bag when picking up the damaged device. Double bag the item and label
“CAUTION - DAMAGED TRITIUM SOURCE - DO NOT OPEN" and date.
- Label the bag
'CAUTION-DAMAGED TRITIUM SOURCE - DO NOT OPEN' and Date, and package as directed by the Technical Manual. Immediately after securing the tritium source, wash hands thoroughly with soap and lukewarm water.
- Store the bagged device in a well-ventilated area.
What special medical or health information should I know?
Military equipment typically contains low levels of tritium and will not cause significant signs and symptoms of radiation exposure.
- The risks from exposure to Tritium are low because Tritium disperses quickly in the atmosphere, so the amount taken into a person's body is likely to be small.
- Tritium is not a hazard outside the body; it is only a hazard if taken up by the body.
- Tritium is quickly removed from the body because it becomes part of water in the body.
Is there a medical test for tritium exposure?
Yes, tritium in the body can be measured through the analysis of urine (urine bioassay). By measuring the amount of tritium excreted in the urine, estimates of the radiation dose can be made. There are time requirements to obtain accurate results, so it is critical that you report your suspected tritium exposure as soon as possible so that it can be determined if a urine bioassay is needed. The need for a urine bioassay should be made in consultation with appropriate radiation safety and medical authorities.
Medical providers can access information on how to administer the tritium urine bioassay at Tritium Exposure: Guidance for Medical Professionals.
Where can I get more information?
The mention of any non-federal entity and/or its products is for informational purposes only, and is not to be construed or interpreted, in any manner, as federal endorsement of that non-federal entity or its products.
