L. Steven Sanders
Understanding Tritium
From a science perspective, tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, otherwise referred to as Hydrogen-3. Skipping the technical terms, it is ordinarily found in a gas form and used in such products from a simple glowing wristwatch to a typical emergency egress sign. Self lighting items are not the only application of tritium gas. Also it is used as a booster in nuclear weaponry, and as a replacement for carcinogenic radium in quite a few commercially attainable items.
How safe is Tritium?
This may be a difficult subject matter. Alone, tritium is a fairly consistent and harmless compound. Just being in the presence of tritium involves no health risks. However, the radioactive nature of tritium renders it a genuine risk when breathed in, swallowed, or absorbed through skin contact. These kinds of health risks make specific handling crucial when getting rid of broken products run by tritium.
How come most businesses use tritium exit signs?
The tritium egress signs are a step forward from basic plug-in and battery powered lighting. They supplied an energy-neutral solution. Tritium egress signs found their way into many late 20th century office buildings and schools. They removed the requirement for exit sign replacement parts such as fuses and light bulbs, making them appealing to cost-conscious developers.
Tritium exit signs, are they friendly to the environment?
Even though their lower power use may position these signs a step above electric signage, the added measures necessary for disposal of tritium exit signs brings them down a level. Given the risks of inhalant and possible skin contact with the luminous gas, Tritium has to be handled as a hazardous material when removed from a building or office. Precise inspection and specific maintenance and disposal are required to eliminate any potential risk to building occupants. Working with a licensed hazardous waste professional can limit the danger of tritium leakage into groundwater systems.
What other options are available in egress signs?
The use of Photoluminescent exit signs has grown in popularity for normal building design. Currently endorsed by the Federal Energy Management Program as a cost-reducing and responsible alternate to tritium, all federal buildings have started swapping outdated signs with these reusable and non-toxic products. Installing these zero-energy signs and lighting products fulfills the fiscal and ecological demands of any business. Although tritium exit signs provided a leap forward for energy savers, the unsafe properties of tritium items make photoluminescence the superior option.
While conducting the research for this article, I learned a lot about egress markings and where to find OSHA approved exit signs at GloBriteSystem.com.