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It decays through the emission of a beta particle with a maximum energy of 18.7 keV and an average energy of 5.7 keV (Okada, 1993). Tritium is the radioactive isotope of hydrogen with a half life of 12.3 years. However the conclusions are broadly applicable to all nuclear facilities, as concentrations are discussed rather than simple amounts. It is mainly based on previous work on Canadian nuclear facilities because of the availability of Canadian data. This report summarises current understandings of the biological and health effects of exposures to tritium and comments on the risks faced by people living near nuclear facilities.
Half life water hazard plus#
This plus the fact that the most common form of tritium is water, ie radioactive water, means that, when tritium is emitted from nuclear facilities, it rapidly contaminates all biota in adjacent areas. Tritium’s exceptionally high molecular exchange rate with hydrogen atoms on adjacent molecules makes it extremely mobile in the environment. However the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) continues to underestimate tritium’s hazard by recommending a radiation weighting factor (w R) of unity for tritium’s beta particle emissions. Much evidence from cell/animal studies and radiation biology theory indicates that tritium is more hazardous than gamma rays and most X-rays. Nuclear facilities emit very large amounts of tritium, 3H, the radioactive isotope of hydrogen.