|
Building Number/Name: |
3716 |
PAST OPERATIONS
Description of beryllium activities: Fiskes hot die lubricants were heated and vaporized during development work. These liquids contained 10-6 % beryllium by weight. The facility has been used to store special nuclear material (SNM) since the 1980s.
Building monitoring data summary: None identified
Personnel monitoring data summary: None identified.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: None identified.
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: LOW
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: NO
Current building occupancy/activity: This building is used to store SNM.
1999 Study Results: Two ambient air samples were collected on 6/17/99 and 6/24/99, both in the northwestern corner of the building. A personal air sample was also collected on 6/17/99 from 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 0.008 µg/m3 for the ambient and personal samples, respectively. Surface wipe samples were collected from 29 sites throughout the building on 6/18/99. Results reported for 27 of these samples were below the MDL of 0.5 mg/100 cm2. One sample from a water pipe had a beryllium level of 0.5 mg/100 cm2, and a sample from the top of a light fixture had a beryllium level of 0.7 mg/100 cm2.
Sampling results following the 1999 Study: Two sampling events occurred in conjunction with work packages as described. The first was a light fixture maintenance activity wherein two surface wipe samples were taken on light fixtures in rooms 218 and 219, resulting in levels below the MDL of .5 mg/100 cm2 in use at the time. The second was taken in conjunction with the Back Flow Preventer change out, in which there were 8 wipe samples taken between 4 and 12 foot elevations, with no result above the MDL. In addition to the wipe samples on the second package, there were also 3 air samples taken (two area samples and one breathing zone sample) resulting in levels below the MDL of .005µg/m3.
2002-2003: On 12-27-02, 7 surface wipe samples were taken in preparation for Fire System maintenance work. All of the samples were < 0.2 ug/100 cm2. On 1-06-2004 a personal breathing zone and area air sample, and 1 wipe sample were taken resulting in exposures < than detectible at 0.005 ug/m3, and 0.2 ug/100 cm2, respectively.
Operational Controls: Work activities are planned and reviewed with consideration given to the potential for beryllium exposure. Controls are prescribed when the work activity may potentially enter or disturb areas not yet characterized through beryllium sampling or monitoring. Work is carefully planned using IH&S professional direct support, to help assure potential exposure risks are characterized and minimized through the use of appropriate controls and additional sampling/monitoring as appropriate.
Maximum Estimated Current Be Exposure from Routine Activities: NONE
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster report and interviews with site personnel.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Surfaces above 9 feet in elevation have not been wipe sampled, and although no evidence indicates they are contaminated, they should be assessed for the presence of beryllium dust before disturbance.
Hanford Home Page | Beryllium Facilities at Hanford | Beryllium