From bcs@aps.anl.gov Wed Jun 4 23:23:47 2003 Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 19:03:04 -0500 From: Bruce Stockmeier Cc: William A. Wesolowski , Bruce G. Glagola , change Subject: Beryllium Exposure From Breakage of Windows This message summarizes previous surface and air sampling determinations made following beryllium window breakage incidents at the APS. You are not obligated to do anything with this information, but may want to share it with your resident personnel. If you would like more information, please contact Bruce Stockmeier. Personal (breathing zone) exposure measurements: In no cases (n = 2) did any personal exposure monitoring reveal any detectable level of exposure. * The exposure measurements were less than 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter. * OSHA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value (2003) have set limits of: 2 micrograms per cubic meter. Surface sampling: Past sampling following incidents have involved vessels under vacuum. As would be expected, the pieces of the window have tended to stay within the vessels (tanks, chambers, transport tubes, etc) and, in a few cases, pumps. Surface sampling inside these vessels has revealed surface contamination. Measurable surface contamination outside the vessels is far less common, but has been found. Surface samling supports the recommendation that exterior surfaces be treated as though they might be contaminated. Access to potentially affected areas should be restricted until the surfaces can be cleaned. Recommendation: If a window breaks, immediately report the incident to a floor coordinator. Floor coordinators have a kit containing more detailed instructions and supplies for managing incidents. The procedure has been revised to reflect our improved understanding of the risks posed by a broken window and some of the symptoms of an "unusual" break deserving more rigorous attention.