Beryllium Uncovered at Former Brush Wellman Site in Lorain, OH

LORAIN, OH — January 12, 2007 — Four workers for Columbia Gas found more than they bargained for this month when digging to relocate a gas line for the city. The grayish material that they unearthed three feet down was the hazardous metal beryllium (Morning Journal, January 5, 2007).

Beryllium has been used in computers, nuclear weapons, aircraft, dental alloys and other products. However, some workers who inhale beryllium dust develop chronic beryllium disease, a painful, incurable condition marked by lung damage and breathing difficulties. Exposure to beryllium may also cause lung cancer.

The beryllium was discovered on West First Street and Hamilton Avenue, near a former beryllium plant that closed down in 1948. Owned by Brush Wellman (formerly Brush Beryllium), the plant had produced beryllium for use by the government in nuclear weapons. At least 20–30 plant workers and Lorain residents died from beryllium–related diseases (Morning Journal, January 5, 2007). Some were directly exposed to beryllium at the plant. Others may have come into contact with beryllium that was tracked home on workers’ clothes or according to one report, they may have been exposed by breathing in beryllium–contaminated air near the plant (Toledo Blade, March 31, 1999).

In the late 1990s, the people of Lorain and former Councilwomen Kathy Tavenner became concerned about Brush Wellman’s activities at another city plant that makes bronze alloys. Ohio Citizens Action campaigned door–to–door to increase awareness about the company and beryllium hazards. Brush Wellman and the city finally came to a written agreement in 2000 that the company would no longer produce, store or manufacture beryllium within Lorain (Elyria Chronicle–Telegram, May 16, 2000; June 2, 2000). However, as the nation’s leading producer of beryllium, Brush Wellman continues to manufacture beryllium, beryllium alloys and beryllium products in other facilities in 11 states, including Ohio.

At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned about beryllium use and potential exposure hazards. If you have been exposed to beryllium and developed chronic beryllium disease, please feel free to contact us. We will review your potential case free of charge and advise you of your legal rights.