Tritium, precautions with

With all electron capture detectors which use tritium as the source of beta radiation, alcohols and water should be rigorously avoided as solvents for the sample and oxygen or air as a matrix for a gas sample should similarly be avoided if possible. These precautions are mentioned because each of these materials can exchange or react with the tritium in the cell resulting in decreased sensitivity or decreased detector life. 

The technique, as established, employed a Bruker AC 300 spectrometer, mainly used for solution work the MAS probe was modified for tritium observation by increasing the tuning range of the high-frequency circuitry to cover the 300-320 MHz range. Apart from the safety precautions mentioned, which were inexpensive to install, no further modifications were necessary. Typical operating conditions using the 4-mm diameter zirconia rotors (heavy walled) were as follows 320.13 MHz frequency with a 35° pulse MAS rate... 

This applies, for instance, to heavy water moderated reactors, for which special attention should be paid to the production of (tritium), including its monitoring. This also applies to liquid metal cooled reactors, for which special precautions should be prescribed for coping with incidental leaks of coolant. Another example is that of light water reactors, for which gamma radiation dose rates from Ar and should be taken into consideration. 

There are three commonly used radioisotopes that pose definite hazards if improperly handled or have unique characteristics or hazards associated with their use. This section contains detailed procedures and precautions for the use of tritium, and radioiodine ( I and... 

Tritium is a spin-1/2 nucleus and is more sensitive than the proton. It is radioactive and suitable precautions are required when working with it. Fortunately, its high sensitivity, coupled with Fourier transform techniques, means that quite low degrees of enrichment can be used. 

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