An ion exchange system includes one or more strategies to reduce the amount of hydrogen gas inside an ion exchange column when the column is offline or disposed of. The ion exchange system comprises an ion exchange column including a housing and ion exchange media positioned in the housing. The ion exchange column can include one or more of the following: (1) an oxide material that limits the production of hydrogen gas from radiolysis, (2) a hydrogen scavenging material that removes or scavenges hydrogen gas inside the column, and (3) a hydrogen catalytic material that catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen inside the column.