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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Control techniques for beryllium air pollutants

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4409727
Beryllium in almost all forms is known to have adverse effects upon human health. Concentrations as large as 0.01 microgram per cubic meter of air over a 30-day period have been determined to be safe for nonoccupational exposures. Beryllium extraction processes generate atmospheric emissions that include beryllium salts, acids, beryllium oxide, and other beryllium compounds in the form of dust, fume, or mist. Facilities engaged in processing beryllium- containing materials into finished products generate a more restricted range of emissions, including beryllium dust from following classes of gas-cleaning equipment: prefilters, dry mechanical collectors, wet collectors, fabric filters, and highefficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters). The choice of specific control equipment is governed by process variables, effluent properties, and economics. In most cases, emission control costs, including capital investment, operating and maintenance costs, and capital charges, do not exceed 10 to 15% of the cost of manufacturing equipment. Beryllium-contaminated waste can be buried at controlled disposal sites unless it presents an explosion hazard. Beryllium propellant and other hazardous beryllium-contaminated wastes can be disposed of by controlled incineration or detonation employing appropriate emission-control devices. An appendix presents descriptions of geometrical configurations and performance characteristics of filters and presents examples of specific design parameters and operational features of filters in use in beryllium machine shops and foundries. (35 tables, 23 figures, 31 references) (auth)
Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (USA)
NSA Number:
NSA-29-002341
OSTI ID:
4409727
Report Number(s):
AP--116
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English