Pu in open-front hoods

[Cheryl Olson <olson_cheryl_l@lanl.gov>]

I am working on radiation protection needs for a new facility.  The work 
involves materials testing and analytical chemistry of Pu.  This work is 
currently done in a 50 year old building and much of the work is done in 
open front hoods.  (For those not familiar with open front hoods, the 
design is similar to a fume hood but the sash is fixed - cannot be adjusted 
up or down.  These hoods allow for ease of operations and have a air change 
rate on the order of 6 -7 air changes per hour.)  The workers would like to 
continue operation in open-front hoods in the new facility, but since they 
do not offer the same protection as gloveboxes, it may be difficult to 
defend that decision.  The ventilation costs associated with open front 
boxes is also prohibitive.  We are attempting to find a way to 
quantitatively measure the risk and benefits associated with open-front box 
use vs glovebox.

The question I have is how many of you are associated with similar 
operations - work with Pu in open front hoods?  What limits on type, form, 
and amount are placed on operations in these hoods?  What is the basis for 
the limits?  What is your operational history - accidents, contamination 
spread, ...?


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