Introduction - hdbk11290011

DOE-HDBK-1129-99

1.0 INTRODUCTION

There are several tritium-handling publications, including International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA) Technical Report Series, Number 324, "Safe Handling of Tritium," published in 1991; and

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) publications, most notably DOE Handbook, DOE-HDBK-1079-

94, "Primer on Tritium Safe Handling Practices," published in 1994. The DOE Handbook was

developed as an educational supplement and reference for operations and maintenance

personnel. Most of the tritium publications are written from a radiological protection perspective.

This handbook provides more extensive guidance and advice on the full range of tritium

operations.

1.1 Purpose

This handbook can be used by personnel involved in the full range of tritium handling from receipt

to ultimate disposal. Compliance issues are addressed at each stage of handling. This handbook

can also be used as a reference for those individuals involved in real time determination of

bounding doses resulting from inadvertent tritium releases.

1.2 Scope

This handbook provides useful information for establishing processes and procedures for the

receipt, storage, assay, handling, packaging, and shipping of tritium and tritiated wastes. It

includes discussions and advice on compliance-based issues and adds insight to those areas that

currently possess unclear DOE guidance. It is intended to be a "living document," being revised

periodically. For example, planning for and implementing contamination control as part of normal

operation and maintenance activities is an important function in any tritium facility. The best

practices from around the complex are presently being accumulated for inclusion in the next

revision of this Handbook. Likewise, it is planned that the next revision will include a section on

training issues for tritium operators and maintenance personnel.

1.3 Applicability

DOE facilities range from small radiological facilities engaged in operations using a few millicuries

(mCi) up to 16,000 Ci of tritium; to large-scale facilities referred to as Non-Reactor Nuclear

Facilities, using greater than 16,000 Ci (1.6 grams) of tritium. Guidance in this handbook is

applicable to any scale of operations.

Some sections of this handbook resulted from consensus agreement between DOE's Tritium

Focus Group members and the authors, representing the views of the Office of Nuclear and

Facility Safety, EH-3, an organization within the Office of Environment, Safety and Health at DOE

Headquarters. Other sections are strictly the viewpoint of the Office of Nuclear and Facility Safety.

This office solicits comments and active discussion of the handbook content in order to improve

the handbook on its next revision.