Effective Beryllium Release Incident Response

About

Beryllium release incidents could potentially present a significant risk to workers and the public. Increased use of beryllium in fusion energy tritium breeding, lithium beryllium fluoride (FLiBE)/ beryllium molten salts and continued beryllium use in nuclear reactors as neutron moderators, reflectors, and fuel element cladding and in nuclear weapons components have created greater potential for unexpected beryllium release incidents. Operational and production facilities should have a procedure for unplanned releases.

Deactivation and demolition of legacy nuclear reactors, production and support facilities have unique risks. Legacy beryllium contamination in decommissioned facilities could complicate efforts in source identification and control and in development of mitigation strategies. Unexpected releases can pose difficult challenges to occupational and environmental health and safety professionals.

Prompt remedial action and good, open, honest, timely and frequent communication are extremely important to effectively manage a release incident of any potentially hazardous substance, including beryllium. Risk assessment is necessary to make informed judgement decisions. The purpose of this presentation is to offer guidance in effective beryllium release incident response with the objective of providing meeting attendees with a basic understanding of risk communication. The presentation underscores the importance of providing an industry standard-of-care in responding to beryllium release incidents using a methodical recovery strategy.

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