See Recommendation 2019-02, in Federal Register, June 19, 2019
– linked here:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-06-19/pdf/2019-12918.pdf
Effects of Tritium Release: Much of
the in-process tritium at the Tritium
Facilities may be in the form of gas, and
material in storage is either in pressure
vessels or deposited on hydride beds.
Exposure to tritium gas does not result
in significant doses to individuals, as
the gas is not retained by the human
body after inhalation. However, any
significant release of tritium gas during
an energetic accident or upset condition
has a high potential of resulting in a fire,
even if a fire did not initiate the release.
In the energetic accidents of concern to
the Board, tritium, an isotope of
hydrogen, may be ignited, converted
into water by oxidation, and then
dispersed as a vapor.
Tritiated water vapor represents a
significant risk to those exposed to it, as
its dose consequence to an exposed
individual is 15,000 to 20,000 times
higher than that for an equivalent
amount of tritium gas.3 As with normal
water vapor, tritiated water vapor is
quickly absorbed into the lungs and
through the skin, and rapidly mixes
with the water in the body.
We ask: Is it things like this that have caused DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to try and weaken the DNFSB’s important oversight role?