Others who spoke last night asked for testing of the Portage River, farmland, and residential wells. Ohio Citizen Action was told of the need to have any testing done independent from the state Environmental Protection Agency. I don't think that is too much to ask. The forum followed the release last month of testing results compiled by Ohio Citizen Action that found beryllium dust in the homes and vehicles of six current and former Brush Wellman employees. It reported finding beryllium on the car of a resident who lives across the street from the plant.
Beryllium is a lightweight metal.
Its dust can cause an incurable, often-fatal lung disease. Brush Wellman processes beryllium, which is used in the defense, automotive, and electronic industries. Ohio Citizen Action wants the company and the government to pay for the testing of more residents and workers' families to see whether they have been affected by the beryllium. The group has been pushing for reforms in the way companies handle beryllium. She said more scientific sampling conducted by an independent organization is needed throughout the community.