Special Director's Message
Elevated Beryllium Levels Identified in Inactive Spedding Hall Fume Hood Vent Stacks
Recently, radiological and beryllium survey sampling was conducted on inactive fume hood vent stacks in Spedding Hall, in preparation for energy saving projects that include lining of the building's vent stacks. Some radiological contamination was anticipated, due to historical activities related to uranium and thorium productions processes, and in some of the stacks elevated levels of radiological contamination were recorded, mostly as fixed contamination. Initial results of beryllium wipe tests also indicated levels of beryllium above the detection limits (0.5 μg/100 sq.cm.) in several of the inactive stacks, and this contamination was unexpected due to the historical understanding that beryllium work had been very limited in Spedding and not of the type that would result in residual contamination.
The results indicate the presence of beryllium contamination in unused fume hood stacks which are not accessible to research and administrative workers. The contamination in the unused stacks does not indicate there is contamination in the rooms where the stacks are located. Results from a 2008 beryllium survey of spaces in TASF, MD, HWH, and Spedding (mostly hallways and offices) indicated no detectable levels of beryllium. Additional room surveys are planned for the laboratories and offices where the contaminated stacks are located. Room occupants are being contacted regarding the room survey activities. Testing is also planned for other fume vent stacks in Spedding.
Employees with knowledge of research activities involving beryllium compounds in Spedding Hall should contact the Laboratory's Industrial Hygienist, Jim Withers, at 294-4743, withers@ameslab.gov. Cataloging of all past beryllium work will be useful in the development of sampling plans and beryllium protection practices.
Additional information about beryllium is available from the following sources.
DOE Beryllium Affected Workers Web Resources: http://www.hss.energy.gov/healthsafety/berylliumaffectedworkers/
Ames Laboratory Beryllium Survey Reports: http://www.ameslab.gov/esha/Beryllium/docs/2001Report.pdf http://www.ameslab.gov/esha/Beryllium/docs/2008Report.pdf
