Appendic A Characteristics of Commonly Used Radinulclides

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

APPENDIC A

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED RADIONULCLIDES

Instructor's Notes

Select those radionuclides

that are applicable to your

facility and add applicable

radionuclide information.

Effective half-life values are

from LA-4400 (see reference

LA-4400 1970)

TRITIUM (H-3)

Individuals who handle large

Tritium is a low-energy beta emitter and cannot be monitored directly

quantities of tritium may

with a thin-window G-M probe. Monitoring is normally performed

benefit from the Article 663

by taking a swipe of the area and counting the swipe in a liquid

course Radiological Training

scintillation counter.

for Tritium Facilities.

1. Maximum energy: 0.018 MeV (average energy is 0.006

MeV or about 1/3 the maximum energy).

2. Maximum range in air: 1/4 inch (6 mm).

3. Maximum range in water: 6 x 10-3mm.

4. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) toxicity

classification: Low.