Perma-Fix Environmental Services Completes Stabilization of Radioactive Beryllium Waste.ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1998--Perma-Fix Environmental Services The various combinations of scientific, technical, and advisory activities (including modification processes, i.e., the influence of manmade and natural factors) required to acquire, produce, and supply information on the past, present, and future states of space, atmospheric, Inc. (Nasdaq:PESI) (Germany:PES pes (pes) pl. pe´des [L.] 1. foot. 2. any footlike part. pes n. pl. pe·des 1. The foot. 2. .BE) Monday announced completion of a unique, groundbreaking project for the stabilization of low level radioactive beryllium chloride Beryllium chloride is the chemical compound with the formula BeCl2. It is 1-dimensional polymer consisting of edge-shared tetrahedra.[1] In contrast BeF2 is a 3-dimensional polymer, with a structure akin to quartz. , contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. during cold war weapons production. The material was collected from the decontamination decontamination /de·con·tam·i·na·tion/ (de?kon-tam-i-na´shun) the freeing of a person or object of some contaminating substance, e.g., war gas, radioactive material, etc. de·con·tam·i·na·tion n. of beryllium beryllium (bərĭl`ēəm) [from beryl ], metallic chemical element; symbol Be; at. no. 4; at. wt. 9.01218; m.p. about 1,278°C;; b.p. 2,970°C; (estimated); sp. gr. 1.85 at 20°C;; valence +2. electro refining process equipment developed at the Department of Energy's Rocky Flats facility near Golden, Colo. The decontamination and treatment by Perma-Fix was contracted for by Kaiser-Hill Co., LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , the DOE's clean-up contractor for the Rocky Flats site. Beryllium is a rare but highly toxic highly toxic Occupational medicine adjective Referring to a chemical that 1. Has a median lethal dose–LD50 of ≤ 50 mg/kg when administered orally to 200-300 g albino rats 2. element seldom used in commerce. Most treatment technologies are unable to stabilize beryllium chloride waste. However, Perma-Fix, at its research facilities in North Florida, was able to modify the Perma-Fix Process(r) to stabilize beryllium chloride. The process was successfully scaled up and the inventory of beryllium was stabilized with the modified Perma-Fix Process(r). The stabilization was successful, and the material and decontaminated equipment will be disposed of as a low level radioactive waste at Department of Energy's Nevada facility. Perma-Fix's ability to stabilize the waste was critical to the ultimate success of the project. The Perma-Fix Process(r) is PESI's proprietary mobile treatment technology that converts hazardous, low-level radioactive waste Noun 1. low-level radioactive waste - (medicine) radioactive waste consisting of objects that have been briefly exposed to radioactivity (as in certain medical tests) , that cannot be disposed of due to hazardous characteristics, into a non-hazardous material that remains radioactive and can then be disposed of as a radioactive material radioactive material Radiation A substance that contains unstable–radioactive–atoms that give off radiation as they decay. See Radioactive decay. . Perma-Fix Environmental Services Inc. had a series of successful projects using adaptations of the Perma-Fix Process(r) to stabilize some of the most problematic mixed low level (radioactive and toxic) materials resulting from the legacy of the cold war. Since 1991 the Perma-Fix Process(r) has been applied successfully to convert over 31,000 cubic feet of mixed radioactive nitrates, nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids, toxic (soluble) lead, chromate chromate /chro·mate/ (kro´mat) any salt of chromic acid. chro·mate n. A salt of chromic acid. chromate any salt of chromic acid. , mercury, cadmium and selenium-contaminated process wastes, into inert, nontoxic forms appropriate for safe disposal as low level radioactive (only) waste for Department of Energy legacy wastes. The company has also treated over 1 million cubic feet of commercial mixed waste with its processes. Dr. Louis F. Centofanti, president, stated that: "The completion of this project continues to show the versatility of the Perma-Fix Process(r) in safely treating mixed waste. These results continue to show that the Perma-Fix technology offers in our opinion the best option for the vast quantities of mixed waste being stored and generated not only at U.S. Department of Energy facilities, but at many commercial facilities." Centofanti further stated that: "Unlike more exotic proposed processes, such as vitrification vit·ri·fi·ca·tion n. The process of using heat and fusion to convert dental porcelain to a glassy substance. vitrification , molten metal baths, etc. the Perma-Fix Process(r) is simple, safe, creates little or no volume increase, reduces radioactive emissions through densification, and is the most cost effective option. We feel the technology will play a major role in DOE's cleanup efforts and reduce the agency's predicted disposal costs." This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which are based largely on the company's expectations and are subject to various business risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the company's control. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to the information concerning other remedial options available, the cost effectiveness of the Perma-Fix Process(r), its expected role in the DOE clean-up activities and the anticipated reduction of disposal costs. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. While the company believes the expectations reflected in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance such expectations will prove to be correct. There are a variety of factors which could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those described in this release, including without limitation, future economic conditions, industry conditions, competitive pressures, the ability of the company to apply and market its technologies, and to demonstrate such treatment technologies in a successful and cost effective manner. The company makes no commitment to disclose any revisions to forward-looking statements, or any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that bear upon forward-looking statements. Perma-Fix Environmental Services Inc. provides unique hazardous, mixed and industrial waste management services, along with environmental engineering and consulting services. The Perma-Fix Process is a proprietary mobile treatment technology that converts hazardous, low-level radioactive waste into a non-hazardous material that can be disposed of. The process is simple, safe, creates little or no volume increase, reduces radioactive emissions through densification and is the most cost-effective option on the market today for the cleanup of mixed waste. The company is widely recognized for meeting customer needs with technologically advanced alternatives to traditional landfill and incineration incineration the act of burning to ashes. methods. The company plans to accelerate its acquisition activity within the highly fragmented industrial waste industry. Please visit us on the world wide web at "www.perma-fix.com." |
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