ML101050524

Assessment Mtg. - Tritium Facts

ML101050524
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	04/15/2010
From:	NRC/RGN-II
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Tritium Facts Tritium Facts

• • Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen.

Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen.

• • It occurs naturally in air and water.

It occurs naturally in air and water.

• • It can be produced by nuclear weapons testing It can be produced by nuclear weapons testing and nuclear reactor operation.

and nuclear reactor operation.

• • Can be found in exit signs, aircraft dials, Can be found in exit signs, aircraft dials, gauges, luminous paints, and wristwatches.

gauges, luminous paints, and wristwatches.

• • Tritium is relatively harmless because it emits Tritium is relatively harmless because it emits very weak radiation and leaves the body very weak radiation and leaves the body relatively quickly.

relatively quickly.

Tritium Facts (cont.)

Tritium Facts (cont.)

• • The EPA drinking water limit is 4 millirem per The EPA drinking water limit is 4 millirem per year.

year.

• • This equals drinking 2 liters per day for 1 This equals drinking 2 liters per day for 1 year at 20,000 picocuries per liter.

year at 20,000 picocuries per liter.

• • In 2008, no measurable tritium found offsite In 2008, no measurable tritium found offsite at Oconee according to SC DHEC.

at Oconee according to SC DHEC.

• • NRC has NRC has implemented implemented a new a new Groundwater Groundwater Contamination Contamination Task Task Force Force (GCTF).

(GCTF).

• • For more information, please go to the NRC For more information, please go to the NRC tritium information website:

tritium information website:

http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops--

experience/grndwtr experience/grndwtr--contam contam--tritium.html tritium.html

Oconee Nuclear Station Oconee Nuclear Station Extensive network of ground water monitoring wells Extensive network of ground water monitoring wells (64 (64 wells are currently wells are currently in in--place & being monitored) place & being monitored)