5011 Tritium Tritium (also known as hydrogen-3) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium (sometimes called a triton) contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium (by far the most abundant hydrogen isotope) contains one proton and no neutrons. Naturally occurring tritium is extremely rare on Earth, where trace amounts are formed by the interaction of the atmosphere with cosmic rays. The name of this isotope is formed from the Greek word "tritos" meaning "third". 10028-17-8 24824 H2 NA Inhalation; ingestion; dermal Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen, which allows it to readily bind to hydroxyl radicals, forming tritiated water (HTO), and to carbon atoms. Since tritium is a low energy beta emitter, it is not dangerous externally (its beta particles are unable to penetrate the skin), but it is a radiation hazard when inhaled, ingested via food or water, or absorbed through the skin. Beta particles are able to penetrate living matter to a certain extent and can change the structure of struck molecules. In most cases, such change can be considered to be damage, with results possibly as severe as cancer or death. If the struck molecule is DNA, it can cause spontaneous mutation. (Wikipedia) Tritiated water (HTO) has a short biological half-life in the human body of 7 to 14 days, which both reduces the total effects of single-incident ingestion and precludes long-term bioaccumulation of HTO from the environment. Biological half life of tritiated water in human body, which is a measure of body water turn over, varies with season. Studies on biological half life of occupational radiation workers for free water tritium in the coastal region of Karnataka, India show that the biological half life in winter season is twice that of the summer season. (Wikipedia) The median lethal dose (LD50) of tritium assimilated by the body is estimated to be 370 GBq (10 Ci). Higher doses can be tolerated with forced fluid intake to reduce the biological half life. (L2141) 1, carcinogenic to humans. (L135) Tritium occurs naturally due to cosmic rays interacting with atmospheric gases. Tritium is produced in nuclear reactors by neutron activation of lithium-6. Tritium is also produced in heavy water-moderated reactors whenever a deuterium nucleus captures a neutron. Tritium is an uncommon product of the nuclear fission of uranium-235, plutonium-239, and uranium-233, with a production of about one atom per each 10,000 fissions. Tritium is used in self-powered lighting, nuclear weapons, and controlled nuclear fusion. It is also used in analytical chemistry as a radiolabel. (Wikipedia) Cancer, possibly death. 2014-09-25T19:13:14Z 2014-12-24T20:27:00Z http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritium 29298 true [3H][3H] H2 InChI=1S/H2/h1H/i1+2T InChIKey=UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-JMRXTUGHSA-N 6.0321 6.032098536 Exogenous 23209