STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
Hydrogen-3
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.
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.
SHIELDING
Glass and plastic are the best shields for beta particles from
H-3.
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.
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".
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.
º Any questions about these procedures ?
Call the Radiation Safety Office, 656-2570 º