WARNING SUMMARY - continued

TM 9-1240-375-34&P

WARNING SUMMARY - Continued

D. CONTROL. Federal law mandates control of this radioactive material. Tampering with or removal of

the sources in the field is prohibited.

E. HAZARDS. The beta radiation emitted by tritium is a hazard only if the vial or source is broken.

Tritium can be taken into the body by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. If the vial is broken, the

tritium gas will dissipate into the surrounding air. However, if released inside a confined space such as a

storage locker, unventilated room, or military vehicle, tritium oxide will form, which is readily absorbed by

lungs from air or by skin from contact with contaminated surfaces.

F. STORAGE. Federal law requires secured storage of these items. It is recommended a well-ventilated

arms room or unoccupied building be used to store tritium fire control devices.

G. DISPOSAL. Non-illuminated or broken instruments will be turned into the unit/mission RSO. The

unit/mission RSO will properly secure the material in an area designated for low-level radioactive waste.

The unit/mission RSO must contact the Army Field Support Command for further disposition at DSN 793-

0338/1883, Commercial (309) 782-0338/1883.

H. SHIPPING. Shipping of radioactive devices must be in accordance with 49 CFR, Part 173.423 or

International Air Transport Association (45th ed). Broken or non-illuminated and repaired devices must be

wipe tested by the unit/mission RSO prior to shipment. The unit/mission RSO or Transportation Officer

(TO) will authorize the shipment. New or unused tritium devices do not require a wipe test prior to

shipment if new shipping package is used. A material movement form (MMF) must accompany the

shipment. The MMF can be obtained at the TACOM-RI web site: http://tri.army.mil under safety

office/radiation safety/forms.

I. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. If the tritium fire control device is not illuminated or broken, contact

your unit/mission RSO immediately. If skin contact is made with any broken device or surface potentially

contaminated with tritium, wash immediately with nonabrasive soap and cold water. The following

acronym "SWIMN" will help you remember what to do if a tritium device breaks or is not illuminated:

Stop - and think.

Warn - nearby personnel of situation to exit room/vehicle/immediate area.

Isolate - use gloves (or turn plastic bag inside out over your hand) and place item in plastic bag (item 5,

WP 0152 00) (if bag not immediately available, wrap in plastic). Do not handle broken tritium

devices with bare hands.

Minimize - contamination by opening doors/windows/hatches to ventilate the area. Leave area if

possible and wash hands and arms after handling broken items.

Notify - call the unit/mission Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).

Before any tritium-illuminated device is purged, ensure that all radioactive light sources are fully

illuminated. If not fully illuminated, send to depot for maintenance.

To avoid injury to personnel and damage to equipment, ensure that tritium-illuminated counters are fully

illuminated before cover of fire control device is removed.

BATTERY WARNINGS

Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2) batteries present a fire, explosion and severe burn hazard.

Do not recharge, disassemble, heat above 212 °F (100 °C), incinerate, or expose contents to water.

Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2) batteries contain liquid Thionyl Chloride (SOCl2), which

fumes upon exposure to air. The vapor is highly toxic, and the battery must not be abused in any

way that may cause it to rupture.