| Building
Number/Name: Date prepared: Responsible Contractor: Contact: |
RTL-520 November 20, 2000, Updated February 7, 2003 PNNL R. E. Johanson |
PAST OPERATIONS
Beryllium brought in facility: YES
Form of beryllium: SOLID & LIQUID
Period of beryllium operations (dates): Start: 1983 End: 1997
Location(s) in facility that contained beryllium materials: Rooms
436, 418, 126, 346, 432, 415, and 442
Description of beryllium
activities: A 1983 report noted that beryllium was used to coat
specimen samples in a sputtering chamber (housed in a plexiglass
chamber with negative ventilation) in Room 432. Beryllium
contamination was identified inside a vacuum furnace according to
a 1984 memo; this furnace was subsequently disposed of. Beryllium
was identified in swipe samples from a plexiglass containment box
located in Room 442 in 1986. Sputtering occurred between 1985 and
1997 in Rooms 436, 418, and 126 where a solid material was
atomized onto surfaces in the form of a film.
In January 1996, research activities occurred where beryllium
samples were solidified by immersion in liquid nitrogen, sealed
in a valved container, warmed up, and stored in a suitable
storage area. Approximately 0.5 grams were released into the room
during this process when a glass failure occurred. The room was
under negative pressure in relation to the corridor and cleanup
activities occurred.
Building monitoring data summary: In 1983, six swipe samples were collected in Room 432; all were below detection limits ranging from <0.01 to <0.003 mg/in2. Two air samples were collected at the same time with reported results of <0.19 mg/m3. Three swipe samples were collected from surfaces of a vacuum furnace in Room 415 in 1984 with results of 0.330, 0.390, and <0.003 mg/in2. Three swipe samples were collected inside a ventilated chamber in 1987 where 100% beryllium was sputtered onto titanium chips; sample results were 17.6 mg/in2 (on body shield for chamber extension, <0.03 mg/in2 (on top flange inside the hood), and 0.21 mg/in2 (on miscellaneous chamber pieces). Two air samples were collected during this procedure with results of 28 mg/m3 (inside the hood) and <2 mg/m3 (in the breathing zone of the worker). Wipe samples were collected inside Room 346 in January 1996 to determine the adequacy of cleanup and the room was determined to be clean.
Personnel monitoring data summary: Additionally to the personal sample described above, monitoring was conducted during the cleanup of Room 346 in 1996; all sample results were below the TLV.
Specify Engineering/Administrative controls used during operations: Work has been conducted in negative pressure enclosures. Workers involved in the cleanup of Room 346 wore respiratory protection.
Maximum Estimated Past Be exposure: LOW
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Building still present: YES
Beryllium present: YES
Current building occupancy/activity: 77 Occupants/Research
activities
2000 Characterization:
Statistical beryllium wipe sampling was conducted in suspect areas of this facility (Rooms 126, 346, 416, 418, 428, 436, 438, and 442) on April 10, 2000 to characterize residual beryllium levels from past operations. All 59 samples taken had less than the housekeeping limit for removable beryllium (<3 µg/100 cm2) but with many above the public release criteria (0.2 µg/100 cm2) with a maximum contamination level of 0.879 µg/100 cm2). Labs 126, 346, 416, 438 and 442 had contamination above the release criteria.2002 Grinder/Welding Booth Investigation:
2002 Decontamination Sampling:
Air samples collected during the decontamination job were below the detection level. Following decontamination, 43 wipe samples were taken in Rooms 84, 126, 346, 416, 438, and 442 on September 19, 2002 to determine effectiveness of decontamination. All samples were below the release criteria (<0.2 µg/100 cm2).Maximum Estimated Current Be exposure: NONE
Basis for above information: Stone and Webster report and interviews with current staff.
Comments, including any additional information needed (specify): Although beryllium is present, there is no current potential for exposure because it is not currently used and is stored as solid beryllium articles. In the event that sputtering (or other uses of beryllium) resumes, work will be conducted in a ventilated hood with industrial hygiene supervision to eliminate potential exposure.
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