Invoking the article exemption requires a determination that the item in question cannot release a hazardous amount of beryllium under its intended use. Article status is documented with the label shown in Figure 5. See Section 3.14 for details.

2. Laboratory use of beryllium that meets the definition of laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. See Document 14.1, "LLNL Chemical Safety Management Program," in the Environment, Safety, and Health (ES

3. Appendix B applies only to LLNL employees.

This document applies primarily to beryllium-associated workers, who are defined as:

* Beryllium workers, i.e., workers who are currently assigned to beryllium work areas and are potentially exposed to beryllium.

* Workers whose work history shows past potential exposure.

* Workers receiving medical protection benefits.

* Workers exhibiting signs or symptoms of beryllium exposure.

All other workers who are not exposed to beryllium are subject only to the minimal training requirements specified in Section 3.5.9.

2.0 Hazards

Beryllium is potentially toxic in all forms. However, not all forms present the same level of hazard to workers.

There is a lack of consensus about whether the current exposure standard in 10 CFR 850 (i.e., 2 µg Be/m3) is adequate to protect workers. Although this issue was recognized during the rulemaking process for 10 CFR 850, it was also recognized that the scientific data needed to establish a different limit was lacking. The rule therefore establishes an action level (AL) that is one-tenth of this level, i.e., 0.2 µg Be/m3. Therefore, work place levels shall be maintained below the AL and as low as practical. Visitors to beryllium work areas should be discouraged unless essential to the mission in question.

2.1 Acute Beryllium Disease

Acute beryllium disease is caused by dust or fumes of soluble beryllium salts (such as BeF2 or BeSO4), which are intermediaries in the extraction of beryllium hydroxide and the production of beryllium metal and oxide. This disease occurred almost exclusively among workers in such processes and in the production of phosphors for fluorescent lights in the 1930s and 1940s. Unlike CBD, acute beryllium disease is a chemical pneumonitis whose severity is determined by the magnitude of exposure. Acute beryllium disease is generally reversible.

2.2 Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease