OSHA seeks to reduce exposure to highly useful, highly toxic metal
After failed attempt in 1975, agency tries again on beryllium, which can trigger potentially deadly diseases
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NASA workers inspect one of the James Webb Space Telescope’s mirrors, which are made of beryllium, a useful but highly toxic metal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing to tighten the amount of beryllium to which workers can be exposed, after decades of studies demonstrating that the current limit doesn’t protect health.
Chris Gunn/NASA/Flickr
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The metal beryllium is an engineer’s dream: Lightweight yet strong, capable of handling harsh environments underwater and out in space.
It’s also a medical nightmare. Minute amounts of its dust and fumes can trigger a disabling, sometimes deadly lung disease. It can cause cancer, too.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it will proposeThursday to sharply tighten the level of beryllium to which workers can be legally exposed, belatedly responding to decades of studies showing that the current OSHA limit does not protect people’s lungs.
