Introduction - doe-hdbk-1184-2004

DOE-HDBK-1184-2004

1 - INTRODUCTION

Over the past several decades, DOE and its predecessor agencies have undertaken a variety of

missions related to basic scientific research and national defense. A number of these missions

have involved development, processing, storage, and disposal of a wide variety of exotic and/or

hazardous materials, requiring comprehensive health and safety programs to ensure protection

of affected workers, the public, and the environment. DOE's programs for protection of

individuals from exposure to these materials have evolved over the years in response to

changes in scientific knowledge and societal perceptions and impacts. In some cases, the

physical and hazardous properties of the materials were not well known at the time of their

development or use. In other cases, the hazards were fairly well known and characterized, but

changes in scientific knowledge and public risk perceptions have required improvements in

associated protection programs.

1.1 Purpose

Tritium is one of the many hazardous materials that has been produced and used at DOE

facilities over the past several decades. Tritium has been produced and used in a wide

variety of physical and chemical forms, with significantly differing properties and hazards.

Among these many forms are those compounds referred to as special tritium compounds,

which consist of tritium chemically combined with any one of a wide variety of metals or

organic substances. These compounds may exhibit unique properties when ingested,

absorbed, or inhaled into the human body. As a result of these unique behaviors, specific

guidance is being provided to facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate

protective programs.

1.2 Basic Properties of Tritium

One of the hazardous materials commonly produced, used, handled, and stored at DOE

sites is tritium. Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen in which the nucleus of each atom

is composed of one proton and two neutrons. Tritium undergoes decay by emission of a

low-energy beta particle, with a half-life of approximately 12.3 years. Due to their low

penetrating ability, tritium emissions are not readily detectable through use of instruments

that are commonly used to monitor for other common radionuclides that may contaminate

the workplace (e.g., pancake Geiger- Mueller detectors connected to count rate meters).

The most common technique used for tritium air sampling (HT/HTO) is the flow-through

ionization chamber. Tritium surface contamination can be detected through liquid

scintillation counting, and this analytical method is in widespread use for analysis of

workplace (contamination smears) and biological (urine) sample media.

A summary of the significant physical, chemical, and radiological properties of tritium and

special tritium compounds is provided in Appendix A of this handbook. In addition,

Appendix D contains information on the dissolution of insoluble tritiated particulate

materials. This information may be useful in establishing facility-specific programs for

analysis and control of tritium hazards.