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Indepth survey report: solid material sampling operations at Cabot Berylco Beryllium Alloy Plant, Reading, Pennsylvania.

Wang CC; Shulman S; Phalen C

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ECTB 113-14b, 1983 Mar; :1-42

00188179

An indepth industrial hygiene survey of the solid material sampling operations at Cabot Berylco (SIC-3339), Reading, Pennsylvania, was conducted. Area air samples were collected over five shifts at 13 sites in the chemical calcining and reduction area and analyzed for beryllium (7440417). The facility employed approximately 17 workers, in the calcining and reduction operation. Five automatic sampling devices were used in the calcining and reduction operation to sample fresh beryllium-oxide (1304569) from the calciner and storage bins, flue dust, blended material, and finished product, a 4 percent beryllium-copper alloy. The samplers were enclosed and operated on a positive displacement, closed collected principle. The enclosures were under negative pressure. Employees working in the calcining and reduction area were required to wear respiratory protective equipment. The average beryllium concentrations ranged from 0.10 to 1.06 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3), which were below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard of 2microg/m3 time weighted average. The authors conclude that the automatic solid material sampling devices when used with the control technology are sufficient for protecting the workers against beryllium exposure. The design of the automatic solid samplers contributes significantly to low worker exposures.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Survey; Field-Study; Region-3; Industrial-hygiene; Air-sampling; Control-technology; Beryllium-compounds; Occupational-exposure

7440-41-7; 1304-56-9

19830301

Field Studies; Control Technology

1983

PB83-220442

A04

ECTB-113-14b

DPSE

3339

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PA; OH