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DEP SWAC Meeting May 11, 2006

2. Purpose. Discuss the properties and uses of tritiumDiscuss the regulation of tritium devicesDiscuss tritium in landfill leachateEPA training to identify tritium exit signs Path forward. 3. Properties of tritium. What is tritium?radioactive isotope of hydrogen; H-3can be a gas under controlled conditionstritium gas reacts with oxygen to form water half-life of about 12.5 years emits a very weak beta particle.

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DEP SWAC Meeting May 11, 2006

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    1. 1 DEP SWAC Meeting May 11, 2006 Tritium Exit Signs in Solid Waste David J. Allard, CHP, Director PA DEP, Bureau of Radiation Protection

    2. 2 Purpose Discuss the properties and uses of tritium Discuss the regulation of tritium devices Discuss tritium in landfill leachate EPA training to identify tritium exit signs Path forward

    3. 3 Properties of tritium What is tritium? radioactive isotope of hydrogen; H-3 can be a gas under controlled conditions tritium gas reacts with oxygen to form water half-life of about 12.5 years emits a very weak beta particle

    4. 4 Common uses of tritium How is tritium used? Creates a continuous light source in presence of phosphor aircraft dials / gauges gun sights / scopes watch dial illumination exit signs and pathway markers atomic weapon component trace material for groundwater migration and medical research

    5. 5 Regulation How are tritium exit signs regulated? Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulation 10 CFR 30.19 & 31.5 for self luminous devices containing tritium General license – end user not required to inventory or test for leaks licensees must maintain labels, follow instructions for safe use, store & dispose of the device properly, and report transfer and failure of or damage to the device

    6. 6 Landfill Leachate Findings Recent testing performed by the Bureau of Radiation Protection has identified tritium contamination in nearly all active landfills Concentrations well above background in > 90% of the leachate samples; over 50% of the landfills had > 20,000 pCi/L (i.e., EPA drinking water standard) BRP believes that inappropriate disposal of tritium emergency exit signs is the cause. Often, owners don’t know the regulations - devices end up in solid waste, thus, landfills or incinerators

    7. 7 What can we do? Identify signs before building demolition NRC revise requirements to include better labeling and controls Educate building owners and contractors Provide information to solid waste handlers Other suggestions?

    8. 8 How to identify Inner glass tubes emit a green glow Usually visible from the outside

    9. 9 How to identify Low lumens green glow

    10. 10 How to absolutely identify

    11. 11 How to identify - Summary Glass tubes Greenish glow Clear window exposes tubes No electric power evident Label with – “Caution – Radioactive Material” and small radiation trefoil symbol

    12. 12 What now? Provide the solid waste industry with a Fact Sheet & List of Brokers / Processors Ensure signs are removed from buildings Requesting NRC enhance labeling requirements Working with federal and state agencies to research alternative technologies

    13. 13 What now? (cont.) Continue to monitor leachate from landfills Evaluate down-stream impact of effluents Set “action level” at which landfill must notify impacted drinking water suppliers Notify PA GLTS tritium exit sign owners Work with EPA on national training program

    14. 14 Questions?

    15. 15 Contact Information -

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