Publication type: Report
The purpose of this technical report is to evaluate the relevant product stewardship issues associated with nuclear fixed gauges and tritium exit signs. Nuclear fixed gauges are used for industrial process control to monitor or measure materials for such characteristics as density, thickness, and flow. A nuclear fixed gauge operates on the principle that the radiation emitted from the radioactive material will be reduced in intensity by matter between the radioactive material and the detector. Tritium exit signs are typically used in buildings to illuminate egress routes in areas where access to electrical service is unreliable, unavailable or costly. A tritium exit sign operates by creating a continuous light when phosphor, used to internally coat the glass sealed tube that contains the tritium, emits light in the presence of radiation. Our review seeks to take a fresh and comprehensive look at some age old problems in a brand new era. We have used the wide-angle lens of the product stewardship perspective, which looks at environmental impacts associated with a product over its entire life cycle. Based on more than thirty interviews and extensive research, our findings suggest that improper management and disposal of Generally Licensed (GL) nuclear fixed gauges continues to pose environment risk. Consequently, product stewardship enhancements appear to be needed for these devices.
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