When people think about exposure to beryllium,
those who work in the atomic energy and defense industries usually
come to mind. Exposure hazards also exist in other industries,
however, including the space, aeronautics, computer,
and electronics fields. Grinders, machinists, hot press
operators, and welders who come into contact with beryllium
or its compounds are at particular risk. Even dental technicians
who
machine or polish dental alloys containing beryllium may be affected.
Generally, any process or workplace where beryllium can become
airborne, in the form of microscopic particles, dust,
or fumes, presents a serious health hazard for workers.
A nationwide
problem
Department of Energy and other government facilities that use beryllium
are located throughout the United States. In addition, potential
exposure risks may exist at certain private plants nationwide. See
a list of plants and facilities
Secondary exposure
The risk of exposure is not limited to those working directly with
beryllium–it extends to coworkers, support or maintenance
staff at a plant using beryllium, and to the beryllium worker’s
family members. For example, janitors or secretaries at
a workplace that uses beryllium may be exposed to beryllium
dust, fumes
or gases. The family member of a beryllium worker who brings home
beryllium dust on shoes or clothing also risks exposure.
Environmental
exposure
In the United States, the average concentration of beryllium
in the air is very low–about 0.03 nanograms (a nanogram is
1 billionth of a gram) in a cubic meter (Eco–USA:
Beryllium). This figure increases to 0.2 nanograms per cubic
meter in some cities because beryllium is released from burning
coal and fuel oil. Individuals who live near an industry that processes
or uses beryllium may be subjected to much higher beryllium levels.
Those who live near hazardous landfill sites that contain high concentrations
of beryllium may also be exposed to higher than normal levels of
the element.
Workplace list
Below is a list of plants at which potential beryllium exposure
risks may exist or have existed. It is arranged by state, company
or plant name, and city or town:
| This
list is not meant to be all-inclusive. |
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Arizona
Brush Wellman Inc., Tucson
California
ASTECH, a division of TRE Corporation, Santa Ana
Ceradyne Inc., Santa Ana
General Atomics, La Jolla
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore
Lockheed Martin, San Jose
Colorado
Coors Porcelain, Golden
Rocky Flats Plant, Denver
University of Denver Research Institute, Denver
Florida
American Beryllium Co., Sarasota
Illinois
Fansteel Metallurgical Corp., North Chicago
Olin/Blockson Chemical, Joliet
Olin Brass, East Alton
Massachusetts
Brush Wellman Inc., Newburyport
Franklin Institute, Boston
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Norton Co., Worcester
Nuclear Metals, Inc., Concord
Wyman Gordon, Inc., Brayton, North Grafton
Michigan
AC Spark Plug, Flint
Getty-Michigan Corp., Adrian
Speed Ring Experimental & Tool Company
Missouri
Kansas City Plant, Kansas City
New Mexico
Los Alamos National Laboratories, Los Alamos
New Jersey
National Beryllia, Haskell
U.S. Pipe and Foundry, Burlington
New York
Burns & Roe, Inc., Maspeth
General Astrometals, Yonkers
Trudeau Foundation, Saranac Lake
North Carolina
Beryllium Metals and Chemical Corp., Bessemer City
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Ohio
Battelie Memorial Institute, Columbus
Beryllium Production Plant (Brush), Luckey
Brush Wellman Inc., Cleveland and Elmore
Clifton Products Co., Clifton and Painesville
General Electric Company, Cincinnati and Evendale
Kettering Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati
Pennsylvania
Berylco, Hazleton (out of business)
Beryllium Corp. of America, Hazleton and Reading
Brush Wellman Inc., Reading
Cabot Corporation, Hazleton
Kawecki-Berylco, Hazleton (out of business)
McDaniel Refractory Co., Beaver Falls
NGK Metals Corporation, Reading
Vitro Manufacturing, Cannonsburg
Tennessee
NGK Metals Corporation, Sweetwater
Y-12 Plant, Oak Rridge
Utah
Brush Wellman Inc., Delta
Washington
Boeing, Seattle
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Hanford, Washington
Wisconsin
Ladish Co., Cudahy
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