Annals of Occupational Hygiene Advance Access originally published online on March 2, 2009
Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2009 53(4):353-362; doi:10.1093/annhyg/mep007
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Solvent Removal of Beryllium from Surfaces of Equipment Made of Beryllium Copper
1 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marguerite-d'Youville, 2375, Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
2 Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, 505, ouest de Maisonneuve, Montréal, Québec. H3A 3C2
3 Consultation en R&D et Expertise en SST, 3285 de Bercy, Laval, Quebec, H7E 1V7
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +514-343-6134; fax: +514-343-2200; e-mail: andre.dufresne{at}umontreal.ca
Exposure to beryllium compounds, both by inhalation and skin contact, may result in immune sensitization and chronic beryllium disease. The objective of the present research work was to study the feasibility of removing beryllium compounds from the surfaces of devices made of Be-Cu alloy and to estimate the frequency at which the surfaces had to be rubbed in order to evaluate the likelihood that beryllium can be removed from the surfaces by serial wipe sampling at concentrations exceeding the US Department of Energy (DOE) standard limit of 0.2 µg per 100 cm2. The standard limit was exceeded after successive cleanings of moulds and plates made of Be-Cu alloy with solvents such CitranoxTM, an acidic solvent, AlconoxTM, Z-99TM and FantastikTM, basic solvents, or more neutral solvents such as LuminoxTM and water. Citranox was the best solvent for extracting beryllium from the tested surfaces, while AlconoxTM seemed to be the second best one. In general, warm water, LuminoxTM and Z-99TM seemed to be less efficient for extracting Be from all equipment. The results of the present study suggest that Ghost WipesTM, when passed across a surface under the firm pressure of an individual's hand, can be used to detect beryllium contamination. However, they seem to show low reliability for quantification. From a safety standpoint in occupational settings, workers should be offered skin protection and respiratory protection if they have to handle devices made of Be-Cu alloy.
Keywords: Alconox • beryllium • Citranox • Fantastik • Ghost WipeTM • Luminox • mould • NaCl 5% • plates • Z-99
Received November 25, 2008; in final form February 3, 2009
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  A. Dufresne, C. Dion, S. Viau, and G. Perrault Beryllium Decontamination with Different Solvents on Different Structures Ann. Hyg., October 1, 2009; 53(7): 669 - 675. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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