The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed a revision to its beryllium regulation for DOE sites, and OSHA will review the issue when DOE acts.
Beryllium is a metal found in nature, especially in beryl and bertandite rock.
It is extremely lightweight and hard, a good conductor of electricity and heat, and is nonmagnetic. Use of beryllium in the U.S. began in the 1940's in the making of atomic weapons. Today, it is still used in that capacity and in many others, including metal working, ceramic manufacturing, electronic applications, laboratory work, extraction, dental alloys and sporting goods. Researchers have learned that exposure to low levels of beryllium dust, fumes, metal, metal oxides, ceramics or salts even over a short period of time can result in CBD in some workers. Beryllium and beryllium compounds are also known to cause lung cancer and skin disease.