The primary radiation given off during tritium's decay is electrons. These electrons excite the molecules in the coating on the tubes and cause them to fluoresce. However, some electrons certainly pass through the coating without interacting, where they are most likely scattered by the casing. During that scattering process, x-rays are the most likely radiation to be released, meaning you are probably taking a small but constant dose of x-rays from those tubes.



Sealing something in plastic rarely does much to block radiation... The bet on the tritium glow devices is that there is so little radiation that it's probably not harmful, and not that sealing the device blocks the rads.

lead casings?

Kinda hard to see the glow through a lead case <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


There's the rub, though, isn't it? If you want light to be able to pass through the case, then other electromagnetic radiation, like x and gamma rays, will probably be able to pass through too, unless you use some very exotic materials.

It would have to pass through the Sapphire crystal face or the stainless steel case and back.

This makes me feel better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Tritium

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Tritium is a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen that is produced in the atmosphere when cosmic rays collide with air molecules. As a result, tritium is found in very small or trace amounts in groundwater throughout the world. It is also a byproduct of the production of electricity by nuclear power plants.
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Tritium emits a weak form of radiation. The radiation emitted from tritium is a low-energy beta particle that is similar to an electron. Moreover, the tritium beta particle does not travel very far in air and cannot penetrate the skin.

The beta particles aren't the problem - although beta particles can cause DNA mutation, cancer, and death.

The real problem is the bremsstrahlung x-rays produced when beta particles interact electromagnetically with molecules...


I also find it kind of hilarious that your quote says "similar to an electron"

A beta particle IS an electron. Technically it can also be a positron, which is an anti-electron, but that's getting into the realm of quantum mechanics, and who wants to go there???

Yeah, my quote came from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission web site. NRC

I know there is some risk...but I am still considering it...Heck, I have mercury fillings in my teeth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

As I said, the trace amounts of tritium in these things are so low that our current understanding of radiation tells us they should probably be harmless....


But the concept still gives me the heebie jeebies.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Understood.

Maybe I could get Tritium fillings and they would glow too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

MM- What makes the Tritium glow different colors? I have seen green, blue, yellow and orange/red. Just curious...

The glow isn't the tritium at all - it's a fluorescent coating on the inside of the little tubes. Different coatings yield different colors. The tritium is just the source of excitation. In other words, it's the energy source.

Ahhh, cool....

Thanks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />