SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 2006
STP37483S

Opportunities for Standardization of Beryllium Sampling and Analysis

Source

Since the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) published the DOE Beryllium Rule (10 CFR 850) in 1999, DOE sites have been required to measure beryllium in air filter and surface wipe samples for purposes of worker protection and for release of materials from beryllium-controlled areas. Measurements in the nanogram range on a filter or wipe are typically required. Industrial hygiene laboratories have applied methods from various analytical compendia, and a number of issues have emerged concerning sampling and analysis practices. As a result, a committee of analytical chemists, industrial hygienists, and laboratory managers was formed in November 2003 to address the issues. The committee developed a baseline questionnaire and distributed it to DOE sites and other agencies in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The results of the questionnaire are presented in this paper. These results confirmed that a wide variety of practices was in use in the areas of sampling, sample preparation, and analysis. Additionally, although these laboratories are generally accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), there are inconsistencies in execution among accredited laboratories. As a result, there are significant opportunities for development of standard methods that could improve consistency. The current availabilities and needs for standard methods are further discussed in a companion paper.

Author Information

Brisson, MJ
Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC, USA
Ekechukwu, AA
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA
Ashley, K
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Jahn, SD
Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D22
Pages: 3–14
DOI: 10.1520/STP37483S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5514-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-3499-7