Beryllium

[drawoh]

Another message here mentioned the possibility of beryllium being banned in Europe. I did a quick websearch and I saw lots of nasty claims about the stuff, but not a clear plan or schedule about its elimination.

Most people's exposure to beryllium is through beryllium copper, which is about 2% beryllium, and which is used extensively in spring loaded electronic devices. The company I work for uses beryllium scanner mirrors, in very small quantities.

Does anyone out there know how likely a ban is, and how extensive it is likely to be?

JHG

 

[Goahead]

The real danger is for manufacturing activities generating powders or dust. A thermocouple sheath of Beryllium Oxide is not dangerous until it breaks and generates powders.
With a minumum of care, machining of Beryllium Copper is not known to be dangerous. Brush Wellman as a manufacturer has an interest in minimizing the issue. Voluntary organizations try to mount a campain to ban the material but official agencies have yet to accept their claims and issue a ban. As far as is publicly known there is not, to my knowledge, any indication of a coming ban.

http://www.welding-advisers.com/

 

[EdStainless]

On the otherhand, two issues of concern.
In EU, limits on 'leachable Ni' for items that come into human contact. Contact Ni dermatitis is common in Europe and there are strict limits against using high Ni alloys or Ni plating on jewelry and such.
Here in the US there are going to be limits on Cr in the air. This will effect welding, grinding, polishing, melting and any other process to any Cr bearing alloy. And hte fun part is that no one knows how much because there has been so little testing yet.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[Goahead]

An enlightening Article by David Michaels shedding light on Industry Groups fighting government regulations, with a good example on the Beryllium issue, was published in the June 2005 issue of Scientific American at page 74 under the title:
"Doubt Is Their Product".

http://www.welding-advisers.com/