|
Building Number/Name: |
328 |
PAST OPERATIONS
Location(s) in facility that contained beryllium materials: Room 328A (former QA lab/shop), Room 102, Machine shop and potentially used in optical comparator machine, lathe #47.
Description of beryllium activities: The 328 Engineering Services and Safety Shop was called the Mechanical Development Building when it was constructed in 1952. It was built to contain certain craft, equipment, and fabrication services for the 300 Area laboratories. This building was a "cold" facility and was not permitted or equipped to contain radioactive materials and therefore did not serve the fuel fabrication facilities which had their own fabrication facilities. Instead, it was used to fabricate and service specialized and intricate apparatus and equipment needed by chemistry, biophysics, and metallurgy laboratories of the HLO. Wastes and contaminants generated at this facility were primarily chemical (machine oils, degreasers, paints, acids, and cleansers). Beryllium was machined in the shop areas and was potentially used in the optical comparator machine. There are reports that beryllium fabrication activities occurred in this building as early as 1966 but they could not be confirmed. Beryllium tools were reportedly used in the past in the Machine shop areas.
Building monitoring data summary: One swipe sample was collected which was below the detection limit of 0.06 mg/in2.
Personnel monitoring data summary: None identified.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: None identified.
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: SIGNIFICANT
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: YES
Current building occupancy/activity: This building currently has a maintenance area on the first floor and offices on the first, second and third floors.
Beryllium tools (beryllium-copper alloy containing about 2% beryllium) are currently stored in plastic sleeves within the third toolchest from the north in Room 102 (a second toolchest reported to contain beryllium tools could not be located). These tools may have small amounts of dust containing beryllium on them. Based on contacts with tool manufacturers, the potential for significant airborne exposure to beryllium from these tools during normal use is very low.
1999 Study Results:
Four ambient air samples were collected on 6/28/99 in building 328. The sample locations were: the west center of the main shop area between rows of shelving, Room 328A on the top shelf of a metal rack just south of the entrance to the main shop, the center of Room 312, and the stairwell between the first and second floors directly northwest of Room 109A. A personal air sample was also collected on 6/28/99 in the breathing zone of a technician while wipe sampling surfaces for beryllium. Results reported for these air samples were below the Method Detection Limit (MDL) of 0.004 and 0.005 µg/m3, for the ambient and personal samples, respectively. Surface samples were collected from 88 sites throughout the building on 6/28/99. 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 the various machinery in the Machine Shop and the missing second toolchest with nonsparking tools, and the exhaust ducts servicing Room 328A, the Machine Shop, Room 102, and adjacent areas.In September 1999, lathe #47 was moved from 272W to the 328 facility. During this move, one air sample was collected with a beryllium concentration of 0.003 micrograms per cubic meter. Although three wipe samples taken under the lathe were negative (<0.5 micrograms per 100 square centimeters), the lathe could still contain residual beryllium contamination, and the possibility of beryllium contamination should be considered if the lathe is moved or worked on.
Maximum Estimated Current Be Exposure from Routine Activities: NONE
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster report, interviews with site personnel; FDH beryllium assessment report.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Although machining of beryllium metal is known to have occurred in the past, the only known beryllium components currently stored in 328 are the beryllium-copper alloy tools in the toolchest in Room 102.
Hanford Home Page | Beryllium Facilities at Hanford | Beryllium