Is Your Exit Sign Nuclear?

If you own a non-electrical exit sign (no electrical wiring or battery) it probably contains radioactive tritium gas. You must handle these "nuclear" exit signs with care and abide by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines upon expiration. The exit sign model below identifies key attributes of tritium laden exit signs.
Green Exit Sign

Care & Packaging of Self-Luminous Tritium Exit Signs

Whenever possible, flip the lights off in the room before handling any tritium signs. If a light tube inside the sign is damaged or leaking, the associated letter on the sign will appear dark when general lighting is off.
Wear water-resistant gloves to prevent seepage of heavy liquids. If the tritium-filled tube in the sign breaks, this will prevent absorption of the tritium into your hands.
Be careful when handling unbroken signs, especially during the installation or removal process. Over 95% of sign damage occurs during these times.
Should you accidentally break a sign, leave the affected sign alone and evacuate the area. Quickly make your safety officer aware of the situation or call your nearest radiation control department.