The lack of adequate beryllium exposure prevention continues to plague workers in a wide variety of industries. Beryllium is a cost-effective element mined in the U.S. and additionally imported, however it’s dangerous due to airborne particles that enter the lungs or come in contact with the skin.

Along with adequate ventilation, the best defense against contracting a condition involves requiring protective clothing for beryllium.

What is Beryllium?

A gray metal that is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, the Department of Defense considers beryllium a critical element. The U.S. reportedly mines and produces upwards of 190 metric tons, outpacing the second-largest producer — China — by more than 115 metric tons in 2023.

Still, American interests call for importing approximately 45 metric tons annually. Beryllium’s physical properties include a significantly high melting point, as well as outstanding conductivity and reflectivity. Its X-ray transparency also makes it a darling for wide-reaching industries.

Industries that Commonly Use Beryllium

Beryllium’s diverse properties and commercial potential have resulted in various sectors adopting its use. Its high strength-to-weight ratio positions beryllium as a cost-effective option. However, its prevalent usage and potentially harmful health implications task employers with crafting programs designed to address worker safety for handling beryllium. These are industries that commonly use beryllium.

  • Aerospace: Strong and lightweight, beryllium is an ideal match for aerospace operations. It is widely used in aircraft parts, components, missiles, and spacecraft to reduce the amount of fuel and force to propel products. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures makes it an intriguing possibility for orbital crafts such as space stations, rockets, and satellites.
  • Telecom: Beryllium is well known for its electrical conductivity, which makes it a good option for telecommunications and the surrounding electronic devices. Its high-frequency applications make it an ideal material for antennas. The element also deals with heat well, thereby reducing the risk of handheld devices and other products from overheating.
  • Nuclear Sector: Used to moderate neutrons in nuclear reactors, beryllium helps control chain reactions. The Department of Defense also includes beryllium in nuclear weapons, largely because it helps enhance fission.
  • Medical Fields: A variety of beryllium alloys have been integrated into medical and dental tools based on their resistance to corrosion. It has also been adopted as a critical material in the X-ray windows of imaging equipment.

The popularity of beryllium as a resource appears to be seemingly boundless. It is found in construction, shipbuilding, sporting goods, and jewelry-making, among many others. Unfortunately, it does present a health risk that sometimes isn’t dealt with by employers who do not necessarily have beryllium exposure prevention policies in place.

What are the Risks of Beryllium Exposure?

The primary threat from beryllium involves workers inhaling airborne particles. When used in wide-reaching manufacturing settings, dust and fumes carry trace amounts that can be easily inhaled or make skin contact when protective clothing for beryllium is not readily available.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) allows for a maximum of 0.2 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air) over an 8-hour period. Excessive or prolonged exposure can result in the following conditions.

  • Chronic Beryllium Disease: This immune system reaction to the presence of beryllium is brought about by inhaling or making skin contact with the substance. Prolonged or concentrated inhalation of particles can lead to chronic beryllium disease. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, fever, and night sweats, among others.
  • Acute Beryllium Disease:Identified by persistent lung, nasal cavity, and throat irritation, acute beryllium disease may be reversible. Workers usually need to end their workplace exposure to recover.
  • Lung Cancer:Beryllium exposure has reportedly been linked to a variety of lung cancers.
  • Allergic Reactions:Beryllium particles have been known to create significant allergic reactions when making skin contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It’s also essential to note that studies indicate beryllium can have a debilitating effect when ingested. If it gets into beverages or drinking water, beryllium can damage the lining of your stomach.

Workers Who Are Exposed to Beryllium

Upwards of 62,000 U.S. workers endure some level of exposure over approximately 7,300 facilities each year. About 12,000 of those employees come in contact with the material in construction sites and shipyards, according to OSHA.

Family members of people who work in the following industries may also be at risk of cross-contamination.

  • Abrasive Blasters
  • Dental Industry Specialist
  • Foundry Workers
  • Furnace Tenders
  • Machine Operators
  • Manufacturing Plant Personnel
  • Metal Fabrication Workers
  • Welders and Machinists

 

Although beryllium exposure prevention protocols are generally in place, the number of people suffering from these conditions remains too high. That’s largely why agencies such as the Department of Energy have created chronic beryllium disease programs to monitor and track related ailments.

The DOE’s Domestic and International Health Studies serve as a registry for past and present workers who may have been exposed to levels of beryllium that exceed OSHA standards. The goal of maintaining a registry is to generate hard data to improve worker safety for handling beryllium and implement exposure and disease prevention programs.

Similarly, OSHA beryllium regulations 29 CFR 1910.1024, 29 CFR 1915.1024, and 29 CFR 1926.1024 encourage employers to offer medical surveillance for workers who have or anticipate beryllium exposure in the workplace, or who show telltale signs of a related ailment. A thorough beryllium medical examination typically includes the following.

  • A history that highlights known or potential airborne exposure to beryllium.
  • A physical examination that includes the respiratory system.
  • Heart and cardiovascular system analysis.
  • Check for skin rashes and allergic reactions.

 

Employers are required to provide the examining physical or health care professional with a work history. The file should outline current duties, previous positions, and whether beryllium or other potentially harmful agents were present in the workplace. The documentation usually includes the availability and use of certified personal protection equipment and disposable clothing.

Protective Clothing for Beryllium Protection

Protective clothing for beryllium and operational controls remains the best protection against ailments and conditions. It’s important for employers to maintain a comprehensive inventory of the PPE workers need on a regular basis. A beryllium or general hazard exposure policy often calls for a designated space to remove street clothes and store them.

Employees need a place to don and doff PPE and an area to cleanse themselves before putting on their street clothes again / after a shift. Proper ventilation and air filtration is an operational control that can greatly reduce airborne beryllium particulates. This practice and the use of protective clothing for beryllium protection can greatly mitigate the risk of contracting a beryllium related condition.

  • Protective Gloves: Chemical-resistant gloves prevent skin contact with the hands that might otherwise be transferred to other parts of the body.
  • Coveralls: Airborne particles can settle on any part of the body. Personal protective disposable clothing and accessories eliminate contact.
  • Breathable Masks: Respirators and breathable masks are a basic necessity when combating the effects of beryllium. Without mouth and nose coverings, workers are unnecessarily exposed to inhaling beryllium.
  • Eye Protection: Goggles and face shields are industry-standard PPE. People who handle beryllium or carry out duties nearby require these and other protection.
  • Shoe Coverings: Dust tends to accumulate on the tops and soles of shoes. The use of footwear coverings minimizes the risk of bringing beryllium home to families or shared areas on the worksite.

Employers and safety officials would be wise to choose a disposable personal protective line of clothing that integrates accessories. The ability to add hoods, sleeves, boot covers, and other beryllium deterrents only improves workplace safety and regulatory compliance.