Worker contact with mercury vapors is a continuing concern as UCOR crews prepare Manhattan Project-era buildings for demolition at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Breathing the vapors can cause respiratory and other health issues.
To help mitigate potential health threats, the UCOR Technology Development Group is conducting a ventilation technology demonstration to evaluate filtration media developed to remove mercury vapors. The cold test will ensure that the equipment operates correctly before it is moved into a contaminated area.
This technology will be used for point-source ventilation in mercury-contaminated buildings at Y-12 where workers are removing materials to prepare for building demolition. The benefits are improved worker safety and greater project productivity. The point source ventilation removes hazardous mercury vapors from the area where people are working. The filtration media traps the mercury so it cannot be released in the air.
“This approach has been used on a limited basis, but without really measuring its effectiveness,” Dan Gelb, Technology Demonstration Task Lead, said. “This technology demonstration will include extensive monitoring to evaluate effectiveness. We anticipate that, when complete this September, the information gathered will support more widespread use during D&D activities.”
