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Building Number/Name: |
272-W |
PAST OPERATIONS
Description of beryllium activities: Fabrication of electrical connectors using 0.61% beryllium alloy using a machining process and subsequent drilling of the alloy.
Building monitoring data summary: A 1968 study attempted to duplicate past conditions by performing past activities (wearing lab jacket, gloves, shoe covers, and respiratory protection) and collecting air and swipe samples to estimate past exposures.
Personnel monitoring data summary: Air samples collected during the 1968 study ranged from 0.08 to 346 mg/m3. Total time of event was approximately 7 minutes. The first two air samples were collected while machining at 684 and 250 rpm and had reported concentrations of 0.08 mg/m3. The third and fourth machining cuts at 1500 and 1140 rpm had reported results of 1.04 and 1.6 mg/m3 respectively. Samples collected while polishing with a metal cloth had reported results of 208 and 346 mg/m3. The general room air concentration was 19.7 mg/m3. Swipe samples from the 1968 study ranged from 0.0002 to 6.7 mg/in2. Swipe samples were collected from the rod stock (0.04 mg/in2), lathe compound after cleaning (1.0 mg/in2), lathe bed after cleaning (0.0002 mg/in2), floor in front of lathe (0.005 mg/in2), and lathe chuck (6.7 mg/in2).
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: No historic controls were identified prior to the 1968 study.
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: HIGH prior to 1968, LOW after 1968
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: NO
Current building occupancy/activity: This building is currently used for site fabrication services (machine shops) with a few offices. Previous information indicated that beryllium might currently be present in the form of a beryllium-copper alloy wire (1.85% beryllium). After purchase of this wire, a decision was made to use a non-beryllium substitute and the manufacturer would not accept the return of the unused wire, which is supposedly stored in its original plastic packaging. However, according to the building point-of-contact Lorin Carrell, there is no beryllium-copper wire present in 272-W at this time.
1999 Study Results: Ambient air samples were collected on 7/6/99 in the northwest section of 272-W immediately south of the flammable storage cabinets, and in the southwest machining area. A personal air sample was also collected on 7/6/99 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 µg/m3 and 0.01 µg/m3, respectively. Surface samples were collected from 59 sites throughout the building on 7/6/99. Results reported for these samples were below the MDL of 0.5 mg/100 cm2. Areas that were unable to be sampled but should be considered as potentially contaminated with beryllium include the interiors of two exhaust ducts on the north wall in the northwest corner of the main shop, that were reportedly used to vent emissions from beryllium metal processing machinery.
Maximum Estimated Current Be Exposure from Routine Operations: NONE
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster report and interviews with site personnel; FDH beryllium assessment report
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Beryllium exposure in the facility is likely none. However, because of the past machining of beryllium with documented high exposures and a lack of data to document cleanup measures, a low exposure could potentially occur during activities that disturb the building structure or ventilation system.
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