Re: Re[4]: Tritium Exit Signs

[WOODM@crl.aecl.ca]

NO - HT will not QUICKLY oxidize under nornal room conditions.  Most of the HT
will rapidly disperse rapidly and be long gone before significant oxidation 
occurs.

An oxididation rate of 1.5 %/h was measured in our June 1987 HT release study 
(Brown, R.M.; Ogram, G.L.; Spencer, F.S. Field studies of HT Behaviour in the
environment: 1. Dispersion and oxidation in the environment. Fusion Technology
16 (1988) p 1165-1169.  

Volume 14 (1988) of Fusion Technology had an entire section devoted to this 
study,  pg 1157-1269.  Note this was for an outdoor release and it was found 
that oxidation resulted largely from bacteria in the soil !



Mike Wood
Radiation Biology and Health Physics
Chalk River Laboratories

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