The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday issued a proposal to amend regulations for its Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program, which covers DOE and contractor employees who have been exposed to beryllium while working at DOE sites.
Beryllium metal is used in nuclear reactors at various DOE facilities, including the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, as part of the production of nuclear weapons. Beryllium inhalation or exposure could cause sensitization and chronic beryllium disease, a sometimes fatal respiratory disease.
Proposed provisions intend to limit worker access to beryllium-containing areas, implement engineering controls to prevent atmospheric release of the material, and offer medical surveillance to monitor exposed workers’ health. In particular, amendments include a lower exposure limit from 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3) to 0.05 μg/m3; a mandatory requirement for medical and periodic evaluations for personnel who work with beryllium; and revisions to the training requirements and consent forms for those workers.
The DOE expects the proposed rule to reduce medical costs and increase quality of life for its workers, the amendment said.
Public hearings will be held on the proposed rule from June 28-30 in Richland, Wash.; July 12-14 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.; July 27-28 in Las Vegas, Nev.; and Aug. 11 in Washington, D.C. The comment period on the proposed rule ends Sept. 6. Comments may be submitted in several different ways, including via regulations.gov or by email to Rulemaking.850@hq.doe.gov.