Standard Operating Procedures

H-3 Standard Operating Procedures

Introduction

Hydrogen-3, otherwise known as tritium, is a commonly used radionuclide with a half-life of 12.3 years, emitting only beta particles with a maximum energy of 0.019 MeV (Million Electron Volts) and an average energy of 0.0057 MeV. The beta particles from H-3 travel a maximum of 6 mm in air.


Concerns

The major concern with using H-3 is that it cannot be easily monitored during it's use, therefore, special precautions are needed to keep the work environment clean. The regular use of wipe testing is the only way to insure that your work space is not contaminated. Contamination on the skin will not likely cause a significant dose to the dead layer of skin, however, it could lead to the internal absorption of H-3. The ingestion annual limit on intake (ALI) is 80 millicurie.


Shielding
Glass and plastic are the best shields for beta particles from H-3, normally no additional shielding is necessary.


Detection
A tiny drop of contamination containing H-3 can be easily detected with a wipe test from a liquid scintillation counter. A Geiger counter will not detect the presence of H-3.


Equipment / Supplies
The following equipment and supplies must be available:

  • disposable latex or plastic gloves
  • full-length lab coat
  • containers for radioactive waste
  • pipettes dedicated to the use of H-3
  • commercial decontaminate, i.e. DuPont's "Count Off"
  • absorbent bench covering or tray

Safety Rules
If the following safety precautions are used, personnel radiation exposure will be as low as reasonably achievable.

  1. Designate a specific area of the lab for H-3 handling.
  2. Full-length lab coats must be worn by all persons who handle H-3.
  3. Protect the skin of your hands from becoming contaminated from spills by wearing two pairs of disposable gloves.
  4. Never pipette H-3 or any radionuclide by mouth.
  5. Only use pipettes which have been dedicated to your specific use of H-3. Pipettes will easily become contaminated and therefore, should not be shared with others.
  6. If you have reason to believe that your gloves are contaminated, immediately dispose of them in the radioactive waste container.

Post-Use H-3 Handling Procedures:
  

  • Conduct monthly wipe tests.
  • Check all equipment, centrifuges, water baths for contamination.
  • If any contamination is found, use a commercial radiation
    • contamination remover (i.e. Count Off) with paper towels to clean up the equipment.
  • Place the towels in the radioactive waste receptacle.
  • If contamination cannot be removed, place a "radiation" label on the equipment indicating that it is H-3, maximum cpm found, and the date you measured the level.
  • Check the work bench and floor.
  • If contamination is found, it can usually be removed easily with "Count Off". If it cannot be removed, contact EHS.
  • Inform your fellow lab workers if any unremovable contamination is found.
  • Check the normal trash container to make sure no radioactive waste has been accidentally placed there.
  • Store waste temporarily in specially marked containers.
  • Call EHS if you have any questions about where to survey, or how to fill out the form.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Call EHS to arrange waste pick up.


Any questions about these procedures?
Call Cal Gillis: 426.3999

Standard Operating Procedures

Content maintained by: EHS
excerpted from SUNY Upstate Medical University Radiation Safety Office