STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Hydrogen-3

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version: September 26, 1991

INTRODUCTION

Hydrogen-3 is a commonly used radionuclide with a half-life of 12.3 years, emitting only beta particles with a maximum energy of 0.019 MeV (Million Electron Volts) and an average energy of 0.0057 MeV. The beta particles from H-3 travel a maximum of 6 mm. in air.

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CONCERNS

The major concern with using H-3 is that it cannot be easily monitored during it's use, therefore, special precautions are needed to keep the work environment clean. The regular use of wipe testing is the only way to insure that your work space is not contaminated. Contamination on the skin will not likely cause a significant dose to the dead layer of skin, however, it could lead to the internal absorption of H-3. The maximum permissible body burden to the whole body is 1 millicurie.

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SHIELDING

Glass and plastic are the best shields for beta particles from H-3.

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DETECTION

A tiny drop of contamination containing H-3 can be easily detected with a wipe test from a liquid scintillation counter. A Geiger counter will not detect the presence of H-3.

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EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES

The following equipment and supplies must be available:

• a liquid scintillation detector.
• disposable latex or plastic gloves.
• full-length lab coat.
• containers for radioactive waste.
• pipettes dedicated to the use of H-3.
• commercial decontaminate, i.e. DuPont's "Count Off".

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SAFETY RULES

If the following safety precautions are used, personnel radiation exposure will be as low as reasonably achievable.

• Designate a specific area of the lab for H-3 handling.
• Full-length lab coats must be worn by all persons who handle H-3.
• Protect the skin of your hands from becoming contaminated from spills by wearing two pairs of disposable gloves.
• Never pipette H-3 by mouth.
• Only use pipettes which have been dedicated to your specific use of H-3. Pipettes will easily become contaminated and therefore, should not be shared with others.
• If you have reason to believe that your gloves are contaminated, immediately dispose of them in the radioactive waste container

POST-USE PROCEDURES

After handling H-3

• Conduct a wipe test and count the wipes in a Liquid Scintillation counter:
• Check all equipment, centrifuges, water baths for contamination.
• If any contamination is found, use a commercial radiation contamination remover (i.e. Count Off) with paper towels to clean up the equipment.
• Place the towels in the radioactive waste receptacle.
• If contamination cannot be removed, place a "radiation" label on the equipment indicating that it is H-3, maximum cpm found, and the date you measured the level.
• Check the work bench and floor.
• If contamination is found, it can usually be removed easily with "Count Off". If it cannot be removed, contact the RSO to obtain shielding materials.
• Inform your fellow lab workers if any unremovable contamination is found.
• Check the normal trash container to make sure no radioactive waste has been accidentally placed there.
• Store waste temporarily in specially marked containers.
• Send a Radiation Contamination Survey Report to the RSO.
• Call the RSO if you have any questions about where to survey, or how to fill out the form.
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Bring the waste to the RSO frequently. Do not let it pile up. The RSO accepts waste every Friday. Call 656- 2570 for an appointment.

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º Any questions about these procedures ? Call the Radiation Safety Office, 656-2570 º

Last modified January 21 2003 09:34 AM