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Beryllium Safety |
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About Beryllium: Be is a silver-gray metal that has a low density (1.8477g/cm3), moderately high mp (1287 oC), good stability, and good mechanical properties—particularly specific stiffness, which is 6x greater than steel. In addition, Be transmits x-rays 17x greater than Al, making it a potentially attractive gasket material. The primary forms of Be used are pure metal, metal alloys, and BeO.
Beryllium Hazards:Chronic beryllium disease- characterized by pulmonary symptoms that include dypsnea, nonproductive cough, and detriments in lung function, resulting from inhalation of airborne Be.
Lung Cancer-Considerable debate about carcinogenicity of Be. It is a demonstrated animal carcinogen and a suspect human carcinogen.
Toxicity-Be is not ordinarily hazardous if ingested.
Occupational Limits:
OSHA General Industry Standard- 8-hour time weighted average 2 mg/m3
For comparison, all the dust from drilling a typical (100 mm)3 sample chamber produces 2 mg of Be particulates.
Safety:
Objectives:
ü -Minimize airborne concentrations
ü -Reduce potential for and spread of contamination
1) Personal Protection:
q Be familiarized with safety procedure before beginning work
q Wear a face mask
q Wash hands thoroughly after contact with Be
2) Control Be particulates:
q Clear off a localized workspace
q Cover workspace with paper
q Confine work to a small, centralized area on paper
q Use tape to trap Be particulates
· Put tape on back side of gasket holder to ensure Be dust does not escape out back of holder
· Use tape to ‘blot’ gasket (2x) before checking under microscope
· Use tape to create a sticky area for putting drill tips
3) Proper Clean-up procedure:
q -Wrap-up contaminated paper and dispose in a clearly labeled plastic bag
q -Give Be waste to Beryllium Safety Contact Person
*Info was taken from “Beryllium Good Practice Guide.” To look at the guide, talk to Beryllium Safety Contact Person