Higher Radiation Rating Recommended for Tritium
The Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation (AGIR) has published a report suggesting the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) increase the radiation weighting factor for tritium from 1 to 2.
Radiation weighting factors are used to calculate doses and risks associated with radiation exposure. Substances assigned higher weighting factors pose a greater threat to human health by increasing the risk of cancer, birth defects, and other serious conditions.
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that’s created through both natural and artificial processes. It is used for a variety of medical and scientific research purposes as well as military and industrial applications.
The advisory group is basing their suggestion on evidence from published cell culture and animal experiments showing tritium has a larger impact on biological systems than gamma rays or x-rays. As one professor stated,
“Tritium is not highly radioactive but it can become widely dispersed in the environment and we felt a special review of the evidence was necessary.”
Professor Bryn Bridges
Chairman, AGIR
The authors also hope their study will encourage further epidemiological studies of populations exposed to tritium.
You can obtain the full AGIR report by visiting the Health Protection Agency web site.
Source: Health Protection Agency (UK)
Related Links: Medical News TODAY; HPA Radiation Protection Division; greenpeace.org; US Geological Survey
Related Podcast: Tritium Plume Larger Than Previously Reported on City Room from Chicago Public Radio
Tags: nuclear fusion
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