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Building Number/Name: |
303-M |
PAST OPERATIONS
Description of beryllium activities: The 303-M building, also known as the 303-M Uranium Oxide Facility, is an inactive, mixed solid waste facility. It was used to treat uranium and zircaloy-2 metal chips by incineration, forming a non-ignitable oxide. The feed material for the facility was drums of uranium and zircaloy-2 chips and fines resulting from fuel fabrication in the 333 building. The dry metal chips and fines were processed by incineration (oxidation) to form a uranium and zirconium oxide powder. The oxide powder was collected in drums for storage and shipment to an offsite reclamation facility.
Building monitoring data summary: None identified.
Personnel monitoring data summary: None identified.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: Unknown.
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: Unknown
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: NO
Current building occupancy/activity: Vacant and locked.
1999 Study Results: An ambient air sample was collected on 6/15/99 in the northwest corner of the Incinerator Room immediately southwest of the chip chopper. A second air sample was collected on 6/22/99 in the southeast corner of the Baghouse Room near the east wall. A personal air sample was also collected on 6/15/99 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 0.006 and 0.004 µg/m3 for the ambient samples, and 0.011 µg/m3 for the personal sample. Surface samples were collected from 29 sites throughout the building on 6/15/99. Results reported for these samples were below the MDL of 0.5 mg/100 cm2. Because the entire interior of 303M was painted to fix low-level radioactive contamination, any beryllium contamination is likely contained beneath the paint. Therefore, the potential for exposure to berylium in this facility is very low unless the integrity of the paint is compromised.
Maximum Estimated Current Be Exposure from Routine Activities: NONE
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: Review of document BHI-00012, Rev. 00 and interviews with site personnel; FDH beryllium assessment report.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): This building was not on the original list of suspect beryllium facilities, but was identified as having a potential for beryllium exposure during document reviews and personnel interviews. One week after this facility ceased operations in 1987, the facility was cleaned out by removing all uranium and excess material from floor trenches, tanks, equipment and sumps. In addition, the building utilities were disconnected; floors, walls, equipment, and trenches were decontaminated and painted to fix low-level radioactive contamination, and the exhaust stack was covered. As such, it is unlikely that significant amounts of beryllium remain in the facility.
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