OSHA is currently re-evaluating its beryllium safety regulations. The agency issued a public request for information about beryllium risks in November 2002, but has yet to take action on the feedback it has collected.

The Department of Energy is funding research into new technology for detecting beryllium in the workplace. The agency contracted with scientific equipment company Apogen to develop portable machines that can analyze air quality in close to real time.

According to Tom McKendrick, senior scientist at Apogen, beryllium monitoring ordinarily requires collecting an air sample on a filter, and then sending it to a lab for analysis. The Apogen system allows air-quality problems to be identified almost immediately so changes can be made quickly, he said. "They (DOE) know they have a problem that they have to address," McKendrick said.

Apogen has developed two prototype Spark I.D. Beryllium Monitor machines for the DOE, but McKendrick is not sure if they will ever be sold commercially. "It's not a large market, because industry is not aware of the risk (of beryllium exposure)."

In March 2005, Biophage's Mandeville and researchers from around the world will gather to share the latest prevention and treatment techniques at the first International Beryllium Research Conference in Montreal. The United States is the world's leading producer of beryllium at 100 metric tons, followed by Russia and China, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (PDF).

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Goals

1.2 Applicability

2.0 Hazards

2.1 Acute Beryllium Disease

2.2 Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease

2.3 Skin and Implantation

2.4 Cancer

3.0 Controls

3.1 Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program