Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What happens to the beta radiation emitted by tritium?

1. It can be detected by RADIAC equipment

2. It requires swipes for laboratory analysis

3. It is harmful to physical contact

4. It is visible under UV light

The correct answer is: It requires swipes for laboratory analysis

Tritium emits beta radiation, which is characterized by its relatively low energy and limited penetration ability. Beta particles from tritium can indeed be detected, but the primary method for identifying and quantifying this type of radiation involves using swipes and laboratory analysis. Swipes are used to collect samples from surfaces where tritium might be present. This method allows for effective monitoring of contamination, given that tritium's beta particles have a low range and can be easily absorbed by materials such as skin or clothing. While other detection equipment exists that could register beta radiation from tritium, it often requires careful calibration and background knowledge of the radiation's properties. Spontaneous detection in the environment may not be as effective. In terms of health and safety, even though tritium's beta particles are weakly penetrating, they are not generally harmful through physical contact, making those concerns less relevant compared to the necessity of precise contamination analysis in a laboratory setting.