A radiation code violation in Horton resulted in the possibility of a fine for up to $40,000 being levied against Biola. Several months ago, two exit signs were found broken on the floor by custodial staff. Five other signs were found to be missing entirely, while one was eventually found. Vandalism was initially suspected, but Brian Phillips, Senior Director of Facilities Services, says that may not be the case.

“The signs, being mounted down low, are subject to being kicked accidentally or falling victim to horseplay,” said Phillips.

The signs contain a low-level radiation element called tritium, a glow-in-the-dark compound similar to what is found on wrist watch dials. A clean-up service evaluated the area where the broken signs were found, and a report was filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

“It’s a fairly common thing that has occurred…Harvard had something similar happen to them last year,” said Phillips, “I can’t say how the four missing signs disappeared, but all the tritium signs in Horton are being replaced.”

According to an NRC report, tritium is only dangerous when ingested or inhaled as a gas, but schools across the nation such as Princeton and Harvard have taken steps to remove tritium-based signs from their campus.

Campus Safety Chief Jerry Powell maintained that foul-play hasn’t been ruled out, but at this point is an unlikely cause. “If it happens that it is an issue of vandalism, then we’ll look into it, but until that point it is strictly a facilities issue.”