Things you should know more about decommissioning
Question

What is "tritium"?

  • Terms

Answer

Tritium is a relative of hydrogen that has two more neutrons than a normal water molecule. It is a radioactive substance also referred to as hydrogen-3. Since tritium has the same characteristics as hydrogen, it bonds with oxygen and exists primarily as water. Tritium exists in the natural environment, our drinking water, and within our bodies. It emits beta radiation, which is very weak and can be shielded by a single sheet of paper. We ingest tritium during our daily lives by drinking water, but our metabolism excretes it thereby preventing it from accumulating or becoming concentrated within the body.

Other questions

Not found

View all questions

© Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.

Scroll