2005 CPEO Military List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: 1 Feb 2005 18:08:06 -0000
Reply: cpeo-military
Subject: [CPEO-MEF] OSHA inspectors and beryllium
 
OSHA Slow to Act on Beryllium Exposure, Critic Says

By Cindy Skrzycki
Washington Post
February 1, 2005

For several years, Adam M. Finkel, a top administrator at the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said he expected the agency to test its inspectors for exposure to beryllium fumes or dust. In 2002, he realized the agency was not moving in that direction, and he became a whistle-blower.

He said he thought inspectors were at risk for contracting chronic beryllium disease, which can be fatal. The agency didn't begin testing until last year. And recent news reports said at least three inspectors tested positive for blood abnormalities that indicate they could be susceptible to the disease.

Jonathan L. Snare, acting administrator at OSHA, said in an interview that it would be premature to comment on whether anyone tested positive because the agency has not completed the testing of 301 inspectors.

Beryllium, an extremely lightweight metal that is a carcinogen, is used in making microprocessors, golf clubs and dental alloys and in the military and nuclear industry.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52864-2005Jan31.html


-- Lenny Siegel Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041 Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545 Fax: 650/961-8918 http://www.cpeo.org

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