Tritium Waste Minimization and Handling - doe-hdbk-1105-2002

DOE-HDBK-1105-2002

Radiological Training for Tritium Facilities

Student's Guide

Notes

At the surface contamination levels

in 10 CFR 835 Appendix d, tritium

is difficult to measure directly

because the low-energy beta is

readily absorbed in air and the

window of the detector. Normal

frisking methods (use of pancake

probe) will not detect tritiated water.

Surfaces are normally wiped

(smeared) with a small paper, either

dry or moistened, which will pick up

loose tritiated material. The wipe is

then normally counted by liquid

scintillation techniques.

VI.

TRITIUM WASTE MINIMIZATION AND HANDLING-

Why is it important and how do you minimize tritium waste?

(insert site specific controls)

Methods below are given as a reference only.

A. Minimizing Tritium-Contaminated Waste

Avoid generating wastes by not bringing

unnecessary material into the controlled area.

Whenever possible, avoid use of porous

materials or those known to be highly

permeable to tritium.

Designate an area to store contaminated tools

for reuse or consider all tools in the area to be

contaminated.