Tritium is a naturally occurring, radioactive form of hydrogen. It can be found in small amounts in the environment, including food and water. While most people are exposed to very low levels of Tritium daily, it's important to understand the potential risks associated with the military’s use of Tritium, and the applicable safety measures.

This website provides information about Tritium, its sources, and how to protect yourself from potential exposure.

Where can Tritium be found?

Naturally Occurring

In small amounts in water and water vapor.

Human Made Sources

Glow in the dark items such as exit signs, watches, key chains, and jewelry.
Certain military equipment, such as weapon sights and compasses.

What Should I do if Tritium is released?

Contain Tritium inside a glass enclosure. If the glass breaks, or the glow becomes dimmer, Tritium might have escaped and spread to nearby areas.

Stay Calm and Nofity Authorities:

Chain of command.
Unit radiation safety officer.
The Army Licensee for Tritium.*

*The Army Licensee for Tritium will notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Handling the Leaking Device:

Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Double-bag the device in plastic.
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.

A medical professional should evaluate all personnel suspected of potential Tritium exposure.

Low-level risk:

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 ingested,.
Tritium is quickly removed from the body if ingested because it becomes part of water in the body.

Is there a medical test for Tritium exposure?

The Tritium urine bioassay is a test to measure Tritium levels in the body. There are strict time requirements to obtain accurate results, so it is critical that you report your suspected Tritium exposure immediately and are evaluated promptly by a medical provider.

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?

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 2019. Backgrounder on Tritium, Radiation Protection Limits, and Drinking Water Standards, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/tritium-radiation-fs.html External Link .

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Radionuclide Basics: Tritium,” Last updated
June 4, 2024, https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclide-basics-tritium#:~:text=Tritium%20(abbreviated%20as%203H,a%20byproduct%20in%20nuclear%20reactors External Link .

Health Physics Society. Tritium Fact Sheet, Revised January 2020, http://hps.org/documents/tritium_fact_sheet.pdf External Link .

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.

Tritium: Facts and Safety