If a tritium exit sign is damaged, the tritium could be released. Damage to tritium exit signs is most likely to occur when a sign is dropped during installation or smashed in the demolition of a building.
No radiation is emitted from a working, unbroken, tritium exit sign. Additionally, tritium exit signs do not require a cord or additional power source, so they can be mounted in locations where traditional power sources do not exist. This means that tritium exit signs will remain lit if the power goes out. Tritium exit signs are useful because they do not require a traditional power source such as batteries or hardwired electricity. Tritium exit signs are marked with a permanent warning label.
When mixed with certain chemicals, tritium becomes a continuous, self-powered light source. Tritium exit signs glow in the dark, even when the power is out.
