Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:26:49 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Ringen, Sonja G." <sonja.ringen**At_Symbol_Here**NIST.GOV>
Subject: Re: Decommissioning Fume Hoods/Traps
In-Reply-To: <0E8C875976EF6C4FAD2BE0CEE93BD2D60905DDD5DA**At_Symbol_Here**sdsmt-ex07>

Greetings,

We are replacing 14-18 fume hoods and have been considering how to decommis
sion the hoods and ductwork.  

ANSI/AIHA Z9.11-2008 (Laboratory Decommissioning) provides the framework of
 our plan.  It all starts with a needs assessment, and since you know the h
istory of most of the labs, you have a good beginning.  In our case, some o
f the hoods are >40 years old and memories are somewhat vague. However, we 
do know that certain types of research have never been done in the labs, in
cluding biological work.  

One of our largest concerns is disposal of the items. We know that acids, b
ases, and light solvents have been consistently used over the years.  There
fore, wipe tests for heavy metals (the RCRA 8 plus Be and Ni), PCB's, asbes
tos (not only transite liners, but also in the ductwork), and radioactive m
aterials will be taken using NIOSH procedures wherever possible.  

Based on the initial assessment, we'll have a better idea which hoods are o
f concern, and which materials are causing the concern.  This applies both 
to the contractor removing the items, and the final disposal of the items.

The appendices in the ANSI/AIHA Z9.11-2008 are helpful with choosing analyt
es, guidance for wipe sampling, regulated levels, and hazard ranking.

Sonja Ringen
Office of Safety, Health and Environment
NIST/Boulder
325 Broadway, MC 173.02
Boulder, CO  80305

Phone: 303.497.7389
Mobile: 303.961.9251


-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Ma
rgaret Rakas
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:05 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Decommissioning Fume Hoods/Traps

Good morning,

We're doing some laboratory renovations and I am interested in hearing from
 others who have decommissioned labs for your renovators...

If you were requested to "evaluate laboratory fume hoods for the potential 
of hazardous materials through wipe sampling", and you knew no perchlorates
 were ever used, did you test for anything else?  (What materials actually 
CAN be analyzed this way?  These are fume hoods that need a wipe-down, but 
aren't showing signs of significant contamination)

If you were requested to 'biologically and chemically decontaminate traps" 
for chemistry labs, what did you/your outside contractors do?

I want tomake sure these areas are safe for the workers, and will contract 
out this work to a hazmat/hazwaste specialty vendor, but I want to know wha
t is reasonable to do...I have a fair idea of the history of most of the la
bs so if there is a 'flow chart' approach that would be very helpful.

Many thanks!
Margaret

Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Manager, Inventory & Regulatory Affairs
Clark Science Center
Smith College
Northampton, MA. 01063
p:  413-585-3877
f:   413-585-3786 

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