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Hanford Facility Beryllium Fact Sheet


Building Number/Name:
Date prepared:
Responsible Contractor:
Contact:

209-E
February 23, 2004
FH-RCP
K. H. Jaten


PAST OPERATIONS
Beryllium brought in facility: YES
Form of beryllium: SOLID
Period of beryllium operations (dates): Start: Pre-1985 End: Pre-1997

Location(s) in facility that contained beryllium materials: The S&W report indicated small concentrations of beryllium material were used in the Critical Mass Laboratory underneath 2 hoods. No information was found to confirm this. The Critical Mass Laboratory is currently designated as an airborne radioactive contamination area. In February 1998, knowledgeable employees were interviewed to identify potential past use of beryllium. These individuals were not aware of past use of beryllium in the two hoods; however, they recalled that beryllium sources were used in the facility. Sometime between 1985 and 1988 the Mixer Room was cleaned out and renovated. In 1989 the facility was closed. After 1989, TWRS Environmental Waste Operations used the facility to repackage waste. In December 1997, the Car/Mixer Room was cleaned out. Beryllium was not present in any of the chemical products sampled or identified. No currently marked beryllium contamination areas were noted the during 1999 assessment.

Description of beryllium activities: Beryllium sources were used: radioactive waste that was possibly covered with beryllium dust was segregated in glove boxes: and beryllium alloy tools may have been used. No operations were identified that would have generated a potential beryllium exposure hazard.

Building monitoring data summary: None identified.
Personnel monitoring data summary: None identified.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: Radiological controls.

Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: LOW


CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: NO

Current building occupancy/activity: No one is currently occupying this facility, however, routine surveillances are still being conducted. The building is scheduled for deactivation in FY99.

1999 Study Results: Ambient air samples were collected on 7/1/99 near the south end of the old Lunchroom and in the West Hallway near the CAM alarm. A personal air sample was also collected on 7/1/99 in the breathing zone of a technician while wipe sampling surfaces for beryllium. Results reported for these samples were below the Method Detection Limit (MDL) of 0.004 and 0.015 µg/m3, respectively. Surface samples were collected from 29 sites throughout the building on 7/1/99. Results reported for these samples were below the MDL of 0.5 mg/100 cm2. Areas that were unable to be sampled but could possibly be contaminated with beryllium include all non-office areas within the facility, including the Critical Mass Laboratory and associated airborne radioactive contamination areas.

 

Maximum Estimated Current Be Exposure from Routine Operations: NONE

Basis for above information: Interviews with knowledgeable site personnel; FDH beryllium assessment report.

Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Beryllium tools are still located in the facility; no known beryllium operations were identified (past or present). Due to its designation as an airborne contamination area, the Critical Mass Laboratory was not able to be sampled during the 1999 FDH beryllium assessment. Therefore, beryllium contamination at that site could not be characterized.


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For questions or comments, please send email to Elton_R_Hewitt@rl.gov

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