Consumers, Union Seek to Lower Beryllium Limit

A U.S. consumer group and a labor union today are making a Labor Day appeal to the government to protect workers’ health by lowering the permissible exposure to beryllium, a metal linked to a fatal lung disease.

Beryllium is commonly used in the manufacture of sporting goods, dental equipment and airplane parts.

Workers can inhale beryllium fumes or dust during manufacturing. Exposure can lead to chronic beryllium disease, a lung condition with symptoms of weakness, fatigue and respiratory or heart failure.

Consumer group Public Citizen and the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical & Energy Workers International Union petitioned the government to lower the permissible exposure limit to beryllium from 2 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter.

The current standard was set in 1949, and studies have shown that chronic lung disease can develop at 15% of that level, the groups said.

They also urged annual blood testing for all workers who come in contact with beryllium so that they can be kept from further exposure if necessary. The petition was sent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“Every day the agency ignores this issue, tens of thousands of workers are needlessly exposed to this life-threatening hazard,” said Peter Lurie, deputy director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group.