Beryllium
The
element beryllium
is a grey metal that is an essential material in the aerospace, telecommunications,
information technology, defense, medical, and nuclear industries. Beryllium is
used industrially in three
forms: as a pure metal, as beryllium oxide, and most commonly, as an
alloy with copper, aluminum, magnesium, or nickel. Copper-beryllium alloy is commonly
used to make bushings, bearings, and springs.
Workers
in industries where beryllium is present (e.g., foundry workers, furnace tenders,
machine operators, machinists, metal fabricators, welders, dental technicians) may
be exposed to beryllium by inhaling or contacting beryllium in the air or on
surfaces. Inhaling or contacting beryllium can cause an immune response that
results in an individual becoming sensitized to beryllium. Individuals with
beryllium sensitization are at risk for developing a debilitating disease of
the lungs called chronic beryllium
disease (CBD), if they inhale airborne beryllium after becoming sensitized.
Beryllium-exposed workers may also develop other adverse health effects, such
as acute beryllium disease, and lung cancer.
Note: A number of states
that have their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health standards,
which may be different from federal standards, but must be at least "as
effective as" the federal standards. Certain states (e.g., California) may
have stricter permissible exposure limits for beryllium and other hazardous
substances. Employers located in OSHA State Plan states should check with their State
Plan to ensure compliance with applicable law.
Beryllium Exposure Prevention
Requirements
The federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule ("Beryllium Rule") to protect general industry workers (including dental office workers) from beryllium exposure. The
rule provides staggered compliance dates to ensure that employers have
sufficient time to meet the requirements and get the right protections in place.