The roads near the Brush Wellman plant near Elmore are closed after the release of the smoke. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and state health officials said residents were in little danger and that any traces of the beryllium likely dissipated by the afternoon. There were no apparent injuries in the accident at the plant, about three miles east of here and 20 miles southeast of Toledo. A heat-based chemical reaction in the drum sparked the release of the smoke cloud.
Beryllium is a strong, lightweight metal used to make nuclear weapons.
The metal's dust can cause a chronic, incurable lung disease. Air levels around the plant late yesterday morning were within standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the OEPA said. Still, the accident alarmed some residents who said they do not want to risk exposure to any levels of beryllium. We should all be tested. This is the last straw.