Opportunities for Standardization of Beryllium Sampling and Analysis
Opportunities for Standardization of Beryllium Sampling and Analysis

Author: MJ. Brisson

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 12

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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.

Beryllium Sampling and Analysis Within the DOE Complex and Opportunities for Standardization
Beryllium Sampling and Analysis Within the DOE Complex and Opportunities for Standardization

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 5

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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 on air filters and wipes for 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 with 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. and U.K. The results of the questionnaire are presented in this paper. These results confirmed that a wide variety of practices were 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 performance among accredited labs. 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.

Beryllium
Beryllium

Author: Kevin Ashley

Publisher: ASTM International

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 115

ISBN-13: 0803134991

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Standard Methods for Beryllium Sampling and Analysis
Standard Methods for Beryllium Sampling and Analysis

Author: K. Ashley

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 12

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Conformity in methods for sampling and analysis of beryllium in workplace air and on surfaces is desired, but inconsistencies in sampling and analytical practices often occur among industrial hygienists and laboratory personnel. In an effort to address these issues, this paper gives an overview of standardized methods for sampling and analysis of beryllium in the workplace. A number of published methods is currently available to the industrial hygiene and analytical community, but shortfalls in the use of standardized practices require attention. Also, questions remain concerning the performance of some of the sampling and analytical methodologies that have been promulgated. We attempt to identify needs for new or improved standard sampling protocols, sample preparation techniques, analytical methods, and reference materials. Where applicable, performance data are summarized for standardized methods that are either published or are under development. These include not only ASTM and ISO international standards, but also methods published by government agencies in the USA and abroad. Significant gaps in standard methods and requirements for reference materials remain. For example, consistent practices are lacking for: (a) surface sampling of beryllium in dust; (b) extraction of beryllium from surface dust samples prior to instrumental analysis; and (c) reference materials containing beryllium oxide (especially high-fired BeO). These and other gaps will be identified and shortcomings addressed. An ultimate goal is to provide standard methods which will ensure comparability of data obtained from different sites around the globe.

Beryllium
Beryllium

Author: Michael J. Brisson

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 1847559034

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

As the use of beryllium grows worldwide, the need for a single source of information on this important but toxic element is of increasing importance. This comprehensive book describes all aspects of the current sampling and analysis techniques for trace-level beryllium in the workplace. It offers both a historical perspective and a description of the state-of-the-art in a single place. It covers the challenges inherent in sampling procedures such as reproducibility, limited sample volume, surface sampling materials and collection efficiency. It also deals with the problems involved in analytical techniques including lower detection limits, identification and compensation for matrix interferences, greater sensitivity requirements and the need for more robust preparation techniques. Future trends, including development of real-time beryllium sampling and analysis equipment, are also explored. Readers will gain an understanding of sampling and analytical techniques best suited for sensitive and accurate analysis of beryllium at ultra-trace levels in environmental and workplace samples. Many "standard" sampling and analysis techniques have weaknesses that this book will help users avoid. Written by recognized experts in the field, the book provides a single point of reference for professionals in analytical chemistry, industrial hygiene, and environmental science.

Trace-level Beryllium Analysis in the Laboratory and in the Field
Trace-level Beryllium Analysis in the Laboratory and in the Field

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Control of workplace exposure to beryllium is a growing issue in the United States and other nations. As the health risks associated with low-level exposure to beryllium are better understood, the need increases for improved analytical techniques both in the laboratory and in the field. These techniques also require a greater degree of standardization to permit reliable comparison of data obtained from different locations and at different times. Analysis of low-level beryllium samples, in the form of air filters or surface wipes, is frequently required for workplace monitoring or to provide data to support decision-making on implementation of exposure controls. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the current permissible exposure level is 2 [mu]g/m3 (air), and the United States Department of Energy has implemented an action level of 0.2 [mu]g/m3 (air) and 0.2 [mu]g/100 cm2 (surface). These low-level samples present a number of analytical challenges, including (1) a lack of suitable standard reference materials, (2) unknown robustness of sample preparation techniques, (3) interferences during analysis, (4) sensitivity (sufficiently low detection limits), (5) specificity (beryllium speciation), and (6) data comparability among laboratories. Additionally, there is a need for portable, real-time (or near real-time) equipment for beryllium air monitoring and surface wipe analysis that is both laboratory-validated and field-validated in a manner that would be accepted by national and/or international standards organizations. This paper provides a review of the current analytical requirements for trace-level beryllium analysis for worker protection, and also addresses issues that may change those requirements. The current analytical state of the art and relevant challenges facing the analytical community will be presented, followed by suggested criteria for real-time monitoring equipment. Recognizing and addressing these challenges will present opportunities for laboratories, research and development organizations, instrument manufacturers, and others.