BERYLLIUM

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Physical Characteristics

Sources of Beryllium

Industrial Uses

Health Hazards

Sampling and Analysis

• air sampling

• wipe sampling

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Wipe Sampling

Wipes provide a method for sampling smooth surfaces that may be contaminated with beryllium. The analyst is typically at liberty to choose an appropriate size for the sampling area per wipe; square centimeters are a suitable frame of measurement. Options include dry wipe sampling and wet wipe sampling.

Dry wipe sampling may be required for some surfaces that could be damaged or compromised by moisture or the specific compounds generally used to moisten the wipes. However, dry wipes remove only a fraction of the residue from a surface as wetted wipes do. If wetted wipes can be used without compromising the sampling surface, they are the preferred choice.

Wet wipe sampling can be performed using wipes moistened with either distilled water or methanol. While both options remove a greater percentage of residues than dry wipe sampling, the methanol-wetted wipes have proven most efficient. However, the integrity of the sampling surface should again be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate wetting agent.

Analysis of Wipe Samples: Two options are currently acceptable for analyzing beryllium samples: Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). ICP-ES is typically more affordable and versatile than ICP-MS, which is why ICP-ES tends to be the more popular analysis method. While interferences are possible for both methods, ICP-MS is more susceptible to matrix interferences than ICP-ES. However, ICP-MS provides the benefit of lower detection limits. Analysts should consider what method is most appropriate for their needs and facilities.