I found a post on CPF that mentioned these. A U.S. supplier actually sells different sized tritium "safety markers". Not quite as snazzy as trasers, they may actually be brighter. I know the two larger sizes are bigger.

Tritium Safety Markers

I've ordered one each of the smaller two sizes. Assuming they actually ship (a confirmation is not the same as having the merchandise in hand <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ), I'll follow up with a review.

Possible uses? I think they'll be great to use on things like bug out bags, light switches, etc. Anything you'd want to be able to find in the dark.

Those things are regulated in the US and they're allegedly not supposed to ship them casually like that. There have been many discussions on CPF about this. Those markers are supposed to be used only at fixed locations (light switch yes, bugout bag no) and the locations are supposed to be registered with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

What you want for a BOB or flashlight is called a glowring. That's just a little tritium tube in a plastic capsule about an inch long, with a small split ring attached, for use as a keychain marker. They are illegal in the US but you can buy them retail in the UK and various other countries--go figure. They are pretty easy to find on ebay and on the CPF buy/sell/trade section (a guy from Singapore sells them there). The larger markers also show up on ebay. What will we tell the children? :shrug:

Groo,

Just don't put this on the same keychain as your NukAlert. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I should try to get an illegal product (glowring), because you think the one labsafety.com is apparently going to sell me is illegal?

Groo not understand. Groo not like not understanding. Groo is easily confused. Groo hopes paulr explains apparent contradiction.

I'm saying 1) the labsafety markers aren't really ideal for use on a BOB because of their packaging; they're intended for wall mounting and also might not be as rugged as a glowring (since they're not intended to be knocked around). 2) I have the impression (not guaranteed) that Labsafety is not supposed to ship those things without some more stringent procedures, so yes, I think they're running some risks with the law, especially since they're doing it openly as a business. 3) If you buy glowrings from the guy in Singapore, maybe that also creates some legal exposure for you, I'm not sure. Of course the feds would have to first find out that you had them, and secondly decide it was worth bothering you over having a couple of glowings at home (as opposed to selling them on a website). I can't give you any advice about this. What you do is up to you.

Did you even bother to follow the link I gave?

From the site:

Do the glowrings make a similiar claim?

I don't want to make a big deal about this, but I resent the implication that I, or labsafety are somehow doing something illegal. Since the website clearly indicates these things ship directly from the manufacturer, I'm pretty sure the manufacturer would know what's legal and what isn't.

Firstly I dont read this as implied that you were doing something illegal.

Secondly relying on a manufacturer to know/do something illegal isn't the most reliable recomendation where there is a few dollars involved.

Thirdly, with the cancer risks of Tritium, there would plobably be restrictions in place. But newer manufacturing seals it in the glass, then has a second layer of protection.

So newer manufacturing processes would probably be designed to fit in with any restrictions. The concerns raised, I think are relating to older manufacturing. But it wouldnt hurt to check if you are worried.
I would be happy to buy them.

Those things from labsafety are definitely and obviously intended to be mounted on a wall. You are talking about putting them on a BOB. My understanding is that putting them on a BOB is illegal and putting them on the wall is legal only if you notify the NRC of the exact location. There are some specific portable devices like gun sights and watch dials for which tritium is approved, but I don't remember BOBs being on that list. I'm going by some CPF threads of a while back that appeared to be well researched, but I didn't care enough to go and chase down the references in those threads. I don't see the things as terribly dangerous. They're sold publicly in other countries including the UK, which is not exactly a country that courts danger (see the thread about the UK kitchen knife ban). So if you're using them, it doesn't bother me, regardless of whether the US government approves or disapproves. I'm just telling you the situation to the best of my understanding.

I'd be interested to know if your markers arrive from labsafety. If you have further questions about the legality you might contact labsafety or the NRC. If you're reluctant to do that, maybe you're not so sure of what answer you'll get.

You have yet to quote a single authoritative reference. Until then, this is FUD... Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.

Let's drop it. I'm not sure why this bothers you so much, but sooner or later Chris is going to notice this discussion and...

Edit:

Ok. Here's the NRC's take on it. From here:

Short version, it looks like the manufacturer needs a license to make it, and transfer it to me, but I don't need a license to buy it or own it.

[i]
§ 30.19 Self-luminous products containing tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147.

(a) Except for persons who manufacture, process, produce, or initially transfer for sale or distribution self-luminous products containing tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147, and except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, any person is exempt from the requirements for a license set forth in section 81 of the Act and from the regulations in parts 20 and 30 through 36 and 39 of this chapter to the extent that such person receives, possesses, uses, transfers, owns, or acquires tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147 in self-luminous products manufactured, processed, produced, or initially transferred in accordance with a specific license issued pursuant to § 32.22 of this chapter, which license authorizes the initial transfer of the product for use under this section.

(b) Any person who desires to manufacture, process, or produce self-luminous products containing tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147, or to transfer such products for use pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, should apply for a license pursuant to § 32.22 of this chapter, which license states that the product may be transferred by the licensee to persons exempt from the regulations pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section or equivalent regulations of an Agreement State.

(c) The exemption in paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147 used in products primarily for frivolous purposes or in toys or adornments.

[i]

If you do get some. Let us know what they are like.

My experience withTritium in the past was impressive.

Any idea what I can expect from the larger one? I'm guessing both will be like a freshly charged "glow in the dark" strip. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to walk around a dark room using just light from the markers, but can they be seen from across a yard, or street, for example?

I have no idea. Depends on the quantity of tritium, quality of the phospherous (Iknow this isnt spelt right) coating etc

The small one is a bit biggerthan the one I have experience with. About 1.5 inches. I have walked around at night using it.

Its like using a half flat battery with a LED and it gave the colour of the glow inthe dark hands of my Seiko watch. but the colour will depend on the phosphorus used.
Enough light to walk around with but you had to hold it close to make out details.

Had to be there, its hard to explain, but I was impressed with the amount of light from its size.

Edit:
I had another look at the Website before I closed it, and I realised I was working on overall dimensions. The size of the small one is about the size I was dealing with.

See this article: http://www.lightpanel.com/comparison/tritiumpress.htm and note the part about the $2,500 fine for improper disposal and the sentiment that the amount is too low to be effective.

There were some old CPF threads citing code sections that you missed, however the new CPF software's search function doesn't currently index old threads. I do know from experience that most vendors (including US vendors) of tritium products refuse to sell to US consumers. The exemptions are limited to specific products like wristwatches: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part030/part030-0015.html

Finally, those markers make some sense for portable devices, but for light switches it's cheaper and more practical to just use those translucent switches that have little neon lamps inside. Yes they stop glowing during power outages, but the lights won't be powered either, so finding the switch isn't that helpful. And exit signs should have some battery powered lighting to illuminate the way to the exit, so they don't need tritium.

Heh. Look. I've quoted the relevent NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) regulations, which I consider to be the authority on this. The manufacturer is apparently ok with it, and LabSafety.com is selling them without additional verification or paperwork. Let's take this to PM if you insist on spreading the FUD.

I believe the post on CPF also metioned that a form did need to be filled out to register the location where the markers will be located.

We'll see, I guess. The order confirmation said there was a "15 day manufacturer lead time", so hopefully I'll get "fresh" tritium. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm curious what counts for a location. What if I mount these in an RV? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm also curious if, after I've filled out the paperwork, NRC reps are going to show up 5 years from now and demand to inspect the installation.

OK, the current story is that you got an order confirmation with 15 days lead time, not a shipping confirmation. I'll believe labsafety shipped you those things when you post here that they're actually in your hands.

As for the brightness, yes, you should be able to see around a dark room with the bigger ones, once you are night adapted. It's not that they're insanely bright but rather that night vision is amazingly sensitive. There is a type of "flashlight" called a betalight which is basically a small circular version of those tubes in a portable package.

Here ya go... Just arrived via UPS ground.

The markers themselves:




Their packaging (and keep in mind, there was no padding in the envelope):




And the docs that came with. There is NO paperwork included that I have to fill out. Nothing to send back, or off to anyone. Nothing that would report an intended use or a fixed location. Nada.
(Click for readable version)



I'll post a more detailed review later. Off to work.

Excellent! Thanks.