Hanford Beryllium Exposure

Hanford Facility Beryllium Fact Sheet

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

303-C
February 23, 2004
FH-CP
Kenneth Jaten

PAST OPERATIONS
Beryllium brought in facility: YES
Form of beryllium: SOLID
Period of beryllium operations (dates): Classified Information
Location(s) in facility that contained beryllium materials: Fume Hood

Description of beryllium activities: This building, one of several 303 buildings known as a Material Balance Area, was built during World War II to store fresh metal (unirradiated uranium), uranium scrap, and chemicals. Beryllium was used in the fume hood, and beryllium contamination is probable. Additional information concerning the work is considered classified information.

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

Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: Unknown

CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: Fume hood, ventilation duct and HEPA filter are posted as being beryllium contaminated. The Receiving Room should be considered contaminated, based on May of 2000 sample results, with appropriate precautions applied.
Current building occupancy/activity: This building is currently inactive with no occupants.

RECENT SAMPLING/MONITORING ACTIVITY: In May of 2000, a wipe sampling characterization was conducted by PNNL, taking 29 surface wipe samples. The limit of detection of the samples was 0.2 mg/100 cm². The results were <.2 mg/100cm² in all but 3 samples. There were 3 samples taken in the Receiving Room that resulted in levels of .591, 2.43 and .308 mg/100cm².

Maximum Estimated Current Be exposure: For staff performing building walkthroughs, exposure to beryllium would be minimal. For non-routine activities such as breaching facility systems, exposure levels are unknown.

Operational Controls: Work activities occurring in this facility will be planned and reviewed with consideration given to the potential for beryllium exposure. Controls will be prescribed when the work activity may potentially enter or disturb an area not yet characterized through beryllium sampling or monitoring. Work will be carefully planned with IH/S professional support to help assure potential exposure risks are identified and minimized through the use of appropriate controls and additional sampling/monitoring as appropriate.

Basis for above information: Interview with site personnel.

Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Contamination levels in the hood, glovebox and surrounding surfaces are unknown.

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