| Building
Number/Name: Date prepared: Responsible Contractor: Contact: |
318 November 17, 2000 PNNL A. L. Nicholson |
PAST OPERATIONS
Beryllium brought in facility: YES
Form of beryllium: SOLID
Period of beryllium operations (dates): Start: 1972 End: 1972
Location(s) in facility that contained beryllium materials:
Undetermined
Description of beryllium activities: The main 318 Building was completed in 1967 to house the High Temperature Lattice Test Reactor which operated until 1972. The HTLTR was removed between 1978 and 1982 and the building has subsequently been used by PNL to house offices, computers, and work involving calibration of dosimeters and survey equipment. A 1972 report noted that discs contaminated with beryllium were stored in the building.
Building monitoring data summary: Five swipes were collected from the discs and floor with reported results ranging from <0.002 to 0.005 mg/in2.
Personnel monitoring data summary:
None identified
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during
operations: None identified
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: NONE
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: YES
Current building occupancy/activity: This building is occupied by Health Protection Services which provides technical services in internal and external dosimetry as well as instrument calibration, repair, and testing. Research areas and offices are present. Beryllium was present as a 1.8% beryllium/copper alloy in the screens of radiation probes. Stainless steel replacements were obtained for the commonly used radiation instruments during FY2000.
2000 Characterization:
Statistical beryllium wipe sampling was conducted in the first floor and basement of the north end (old HTLTR Bldg) of this facility on April 11, 2000 to characterize residual beryllium levels from past operations. All 29 samples taken had less than detectable levels of removable beryllium (<0.1 µg/100 cm2).Maximum Estimated Current Be exposure: NONE
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster report, publication WHC-MR-0388, and interviews with site personnel.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Potential current beryllium exposures are estimated as none because beryllium is only present as beryllium/copper alloy screens in radiation probes and the metal is not ground, machined, or otherwise subjected to activities which would create dust or other particles with the potential to become airborne.
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