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Building Number/Name: |
309 |
PAST OPERATIONS
Description of beryllium activities: The Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor Building was completed in 1960 as the operating test reactor in the HW Plutonium Fuels Utilization Program. The reactor core consisted of 85 vertical aluminum tubes, each with Zircaloy-2 process tubes fitting inside which held a fuel "bundle" or "cluster" of 19 fuel rods. The reactor was shut down in 1968 and the initial layaway occurred in 1969. A 1967 report identified the presence of beryllium logs in the reactor area.
Building monitoring data summary: Eleven swipe samples were collected in 1967 ranging from 0.002 to 0.5 mg/in2. All samples were below 0.005 mg/in2 except for three samples of plastic covering,a fourth sample of a white residue on the surface of a pallet inside the roped off beryllium area, and a fifth sample taken from the floor (these five samples ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/in2). Some facility personnel thought that there may have been low levels of beryllium detected in some ion exchange resin many years ago, but no data to confirm this could be located.
Personnel monitoring data summary: None identified.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: Gloves were worn when handling the beryllium logs. Plastic covers over floor and other areas in the reactor area that were disposed of as beryllium waste. No other controls were identified.
CURRENT OPERATIONS
1999 Study Results: Four ambient air samples were collected on 6/22/99 in Building 309. Their locations were: the PRCF shop (Room 300) near the north wall, the hall outside Room 304 near the north wall, outside Room 112 near the far west wall of the building, and the hall north of Room 208 and west of Room 213. A personal air sample was also collected on 6/22/99 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 0.005 µg/m3 for the ambient air samples and 0.008 µg/m3 for the personal sample. Surface samples were collected from 88 sites throughout the building on 6/22/99. 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 ductwork servicing Rooms 121, 212, 220, 300, 304, 530 and adjacent areas.
Additional surface wipe samples (3) were taken September of 2001, resulting in levels below the MDL of 0.5 mg/100 cm2.
On 1/28/2004 in preparation for FFTF staff to occupy part of the 309 Facility for work and mock-up activities, additional surface wipe samples were taken and analysis at 0.2 micrograms per 100 cm2 performed. There were (2) samples taken in rooms 101 and 103, (4) in the maintenance shop, and (19) in the Cell to represent areas in which work would be conducted. All samples resulted in levels less than detectible at the .2 microgram level.
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster (1988), publication WHC-MR-0388, personnel interviews, and FDH beryllium assessment report.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Prior to demolition beryllium sampling was recommended to confirm the absence of this material.
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