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Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:19 am
by FL450
Ws not quite sure where this fit so I posted it here. I read in a news letter from Duncan Aviation (an aviation maintenance company) that Dassault-Falcon Aircraft has released a service bulliten requiring Tritium Emergancy Exit signs installed in certain Falcon Aircraft be removed due to emmisions that may be deemed sensitive by certain local regulation. The article does not say if any of these these local regualtions are In the US or not. I guess Tritium sites are next unless you don your radiation suit.
" The glow-in-the-dark Tritium "EXIT" signs that may be installed in Falcon aircraft are being phased out due to the emission of low levels of radiation. These emissions have been deemed sensitive to some local regulations."
http://www.duncanaviation.aero/intellig ... -signs.php
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:11 am
by WildBill
Interesting post. According to the EPA the low-energy beta particles from tritium can not penetrate the skin. The main hazard is inhaling the gas if the exit signs are broken. It seems like our tritium sights are okay for now.
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/exit-signs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:16 am
by C-dub
Seems like it might be the U.S. causing the issue.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/radiatio ... ritium.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And it might be more about the disposal than the use.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-colle ... 200625.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:29 am
by WildBill
I remember years ago when people used to listen to vinyl records. There was a company that made a little brush with a radioactive source to remove static electricity. I think they stopped selling them when people starting throwing them away in the trash.
http://www.blackcatsystems.com/science/radprod.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:30 am
by The Annoyed Man
WildBill wrote:I remember years ago when people used to listen to vinyl records. There was a company that made a little brush with a radioactive source to remove static electricity. I think they stopped selling them when people starting throwing them away in the trash.
http://www.blackcatsystems.com/science/radprod.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What sis they expect people to do with them when they were done with them?
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:35 am
by WildBill
The Annoyed Man wrote:WildBill wrote:I remember years ago when people used to listen to vinyl records. There was a company that made a little brush with a radioactive source to remove static electricity. I think they stopped selling them when people starting throwing them away in the trash.
http://www.blackcatsystems.com/science/radprod.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What sis they expect people to do with them when they were done with them?
They "expected" them to return them to the manufacturer for proper disposal. After all that's what the instructions said.

Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:35 am
by Jaguar
So exit signs that may emit low levels of harmless radiation are hazardous, but refrigerator sized boxes producing unknown amounts of radiation is perfectly fine to make the general public stand inside, with their hands up no less.
The mind of a bureaucrat is a strange and powerful thing.

Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:57 pm
by Heartland Patriot
As an aircraft mechanic, I would say that its probably a combination of governmental regulations pushing up costs vs the aircraft manufacturer and maintenance organizations having to shoulder that increased cost and layers of process that go with increased regulations, likely regarding the handling, shipping, and disposal. As far as a hazard to individuals when properly installed? I will use the word unlikely (though obviously nothing is impossible).
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:41 pm
by sjfcontrol
The Annoyed Man wrote:WildBill wrote:I remember years ago when people used to listen to vinyl records. There was a company that made a little brush with a radioactive source to remove static electricity. I think they stopped selling them when people starting throwing them away in the trash.
http://www.blackcatsystems.com/science/radprod.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What sis they expect people to do with them when they were done with them?
The same thing the Government expects you to do with mercury-laden compact-flourescent bulbs when they burn out or get broken --- call hazmat.
Re: Radiation concerns on Falcon aircraft Tritium Exit signs
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:51 pm
by jmorris
sjfcontrol wrote:.....
The same thing the Government expects you to do with mercury-laden compact-flourescent bulbs when they burn out or get broken --- call hazmat.
Wish that was true, I'd love to have the hazmat team show just to freak my neighbors.