Tritium radiation

Col.Kurtz · August 16, 2008, 07:25 PM

Hello All, As my first post here, I am wondering about tritium radiation from said gunsights. I am no expert on any related fields and am wondering if there are any studies on any possible ill effects of long term, inside waistband carry.
As 'appendix carry' keeps the goods next to the goods, as it were, I am concerned about it and don't know how to go about finding any intel on the matter. Thought I'd ask you all. Thanks for any help you can provide.

AK103K · August 16, 2008, 08:02 PM

I've been using both tritium watches and night sights for around 15+ years now, and other than this weird twitch, I havent seen any ill effects.

Dont sweat the small stuff. By the time it matters (or maybe sooner, you are carrying a gun) you'll be dead.

**JohnKSa** · August 16, 2008, 08:08 PM

The type of radiation emitted by Tritium is easily stopped by the outer layer of dead cells on your skin. If you broke open the tritium capsule and inhaled the contents that probably wouldn't be good for you--but the amount you'd be inhaling is ridiculously small. As long as you don't TRY to hurt yourself with it it's perfectly safe.

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/underst...l#affecthealth

Double Naught Spy · August 16, 2008, 09:59 PM

Right, the only way tritium is going to harm you is via inhalation of the gas.

poptime · August 16, 2008, 11:55 PM

As mentioned, the amount of gas is minute and it would take quite a lot to be harmful. Radium in small amounts on the other hand can be harmful because it is not a gas but tiny particulate. So when it gets into the lung, it stays there and burns, for life.
The tritium is contained in tiny glass capsules, each containing a small amount of gas.

**JohnKSa** · August 17, 2008, 01:15 AM

Radium also emits beta and gamma radiation in addition to alpha particles.

Col.Kurtz · August 17, 2008, 11:44 AM

Thanks Guys. And thank you John for the link. Thats what I was after.
lol AK; I too have a twitch. Or maybe it's just an itch -to pull the trigger a few hundred times at the range on Fridays.

DaveBeal · August 17, 2008, 12:22 PM

The references I can find on the web indicate that tritium emits beta particles, not alpha. For instance, go here and scroll down to the section on "Water".

Health effects of beta radiation can be found here.

**JohnKSa** · August 17, 2008, 12:58 PM

http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/esg/tritium/tritium/TritCh2.html

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-co...iation-fs.html

You are correct. However it's a low energy beta particle and all the sources agree that the radiation from Tritium won't penetrate the skin and is therefore only a danger if it is inhaled or ingested.

Capt. Charlie · August 17, 2008, 02:02 PM

...test it yourself, and I did. I wondered about this too a while back, and I used a Gieger counter to test for radiation output from two recently manufactured tritium sights (both Trijicon). The sensor was placed in direct contact with the sights, and I measured nothing, not even a single "click", above normal background radiation. They are very well shielded.

On the other hand, I had a nuclear stress test done last year, and I had fun showing people how my body would literally peg the meter for a couple of days

.

August 16, 2008, 07:25 PM	#1
Col.Kurtz Junior Member Join Date: August 16, 2008 Posts: 2	Tritium radiation Hello All, As my first post here, I am wondering about tritium radiation from said gunsights. I am no expert on any related fields and am wondering if there are any studies on any possible ill effects of long term, inside waistband carry. As 'appendix carry' keeps the goods next to the goods, as it were, I am concerned about it and don't know how to go about finding any intel on the matter. Thought I'd ask you all. Thanks for any help you can provide.

August 16, 2008, 08:08 PM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	The type of radiation emitted by Tritium is easily stopped by the outer layer of dead cells on your skin. If you broke open the tritium capsule and inhaled the contents that probably wouldn't be good for you--but the amount you'd be inhaling is ridiculously small. As long as you don't TRY to hurt yourself with it it's perfectly safe. http://www.epa.gov/radiation/underst...l#affecthealth __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 16, 2008, 09:59 PM	#4
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Right, the only way tritium is going to harm you is via inhalation of the gas. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

August 17, 2008, 01:15 AM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	Radium also emits beta and gamma radiation in addition to alpha particles. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 17, 2008, 11:44 AM	#7
Col.Kurtz Junior Member Join Date: August 16, 2008 Posts: 2	whew Thanks Guys. And thank you John for the link. Thats what I was after. lol AK; I too have a twitch. Or maybe it's just an itch -to pull the trigger a few hundred times at the range on Fridays.

August 16, 2008, 08:02 PM	#2
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I've been using both tritium watches and night sights for around 15+ years now, and other than this weird twitch, I havent seen any ill effects. Dont sweat the small stuff. By the time it matters (or maybe sooner, you are carrying a gun) you'll be dead.

August 16, 2008, 11:55 PM	#5
poptime Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: foot of MT Rainier Posts: 89	As mentioned, the amount of gas is minute and it would take quite a lot to be harmful. Radium in small amounts on the other hand can be harmful because it is not a gas but tiny particulate. So when it gets into the lung, it stays there and burns, for life. The tritium is contained in tiny glass capsules, each containing a small amount of gas.

August 17, 2008, 12:22 PM	#8
DaveBeal Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 158	The references I can find on the web indicate that tritium emits beta particles, not alpha. For instance, go here and scroll down to the section on "Water". Health effects of beta radiation can be found here.

August 17, 2008, 12:58 PM	#9
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/esg/tritium/tritium/TritCh2.html http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-co...iation-fs.html You are correct. However it's a low energy beta particle and all the sources agree that the radiation from Tritium won't penetrate the skin and is therefore only a danger if it is inhaled or ingested. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 17, 2008, 02:02 PM	#10
Capt. Charlie Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 4,446	When in doubt... ...test it yourself, and I did. I wondered about this too a while back, and I used a Gieger counter to test for radiation output from two recently manufactured tritium sights (both Trijicon). The sensor was placed in direct contact with the sights, and I measured nothing, not even a single "click", above normal background radiation. They are very well shielded. On the other hand, I had a nuclear stress test done last year, and I had fun showing people how my body would literally peg the meter for a couple of days . __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does *your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt. Charlie