[time-nuts] beryllium oxide

[Brooke Clarke]

Hi Bruce:

Why is beryllium oxide a problem when it's already in a product?

I believe the danger is something similar to asbestos where inhaling large 
amounts it is the problem.  Shipyard workers applying loose asbestos to pipes 
and boilers inhaled the material all during there work day and ended up with 
medical problems.  I've heard that electronics workers that made products from 
beryllium oxide also suffered medical problems.  They were breathing a lot of 
the dust.  Mechanics who grind brake material will have no problem from 
asbestos just as motorists since the "fish hooks" are no longer present in the 
asbestos dust. I used to have a sheet of asbestos that fit into the oven and 
was used to bake bread.  It's OK to eat asbestos and probably beryllium oxide. 
  There's a disused hotel on our main street that's a brick building heated 
with a steam boiler with the whole system insulated with asbestos.  It's a real 
(expensive) problem to remove that asbestos in a way safe for the person doing 
it and doing all the needed OSH paperwork.  I believe the cost to remove the 
asbestos far exceeds the economic value of the building and the land it's 
sitting on.  In time that will change.

Don't see any problem related to (beryllium oxide) oscillator disposal.  Can 
you elaborate?

Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.prc68.com

Bruce Griffiths wrote:
. . .
> 
> However there are a few OCXOs that use beryllium oxide within them,
> these are usually labelled as such and no attempt at reverse engineering
> should be made.
> I have one of these lying around.
> Safe disposal of such devices is also problematic.
> 
> Bruce