Chemrisk.Com Area of Expertise

Beryllium

Beryllium has been an important metal in nuclear weapon production for more than 60 years, and, in recent times, has been a critical part of the semiconductor industry. This metal has many unusual properties that have been studied for nearly 60 years. Our scientists are recognized authorities on this metal, and have published more than 15 papers that deal with its exposure, toxicology, medicine, and biomonitoring. Several of our staff members who have expertise with this metal have served as expert witnesses in beryllium related trials.

ChemRisk^® Publications

McAtee, B., Donovan, E., Gaffney, S., Frede, W., Knutson, J., Paustenbach, D. 2009. Historical Analysis of Airborne Beryllium Concentrations at a Copper Beryllium Facility (1964-2000). Ann Occup Hyg, 53(4): 373-382.

Hollins, D.M., M.A. McKinley, C. Williams, A. Wiman, D. Fillos, P.S. Chapman, and A.K. Madl. 2009. Beryllium and lung cancer: A weight of evidence evaluation of the toxicological and epidemiological literature. Crit Rev Toxicol 39(S1):1-32.

Donovan, E.P., M.E. Kolanz, D.A. Galbraith, P.S. Chapman, and D.J. Paustenbach. 2007. Performance of the beryllium blood lymphocyte proliferation test based on a long-term occupational surveillance program. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 81:165-178.

Madl, A.K., K. Unice, J. Brown, M.E. Kolanz, and M.S. Kent. 2007. Exposure-Response Analysis of Beryllium Sensitized and Chronic Beryllium Disease Workers in a Beryllium Metal Machining Plant. J Occup Environ Hyg 4(6):448-466.

Deubner, D.C., Y.W. Lowney, D.J. Paustenbach, and J. Warmerdam. 2001. Contribution of incidental exposure pathways to total beryllium exposures. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 16(5):568-78.

Kolanz, M.E., A.K. Madl, M.A. Kelsh, M.S. Kent, R.M. Kalmes, and D.J. Paustenbach. 2001. A comparison and critique of historical and current exposure assessment methods for beryllium: Implications for evaluating risk of chronic beryllium disease. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 16(5):593-614.

For Additional information, please contact Ellen Donovan at edonovan@chemrisk.com; (415) 618-3222

Radionuclides

Radiation has existed in air, rocks, water and plants since the Earth’s formation. Only over the last century, though, have naturally occurring radioactive materials been mined and processed for use in medicine, power generation, weapons, consumer products, and industry, generating emissions and waste. Radiation exposure has been associated with a variety of short and long term health effects, including radiation poisoning and cancer. ChemRisk has decades of experience designing, conducting, and managing programs and technical studies addressing environmental and occupational impacts of radioactive materials, and has led three of the nation's largest dose reconstruction projects at nuclear weapons facilities. Our scientists have published numerous papers on this topic.

ChemRisk^® Publications

Widner, T.E. and S.M. Flack. 2010. Characterization of the world’s first nuclear explosion, the Trinity Test, as a source of public radiation exposure. Health Phys. 98(3):480-497.

Widner, T. 2009. The world’s first atomic blast and how it interacted with the Jornada del Muerto and Chupadera Mesa. In: New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, 60th Field Conference, Geology of the Chupadera Mesa Region. p. 425-428. New Mexico Geological Society, Socorro, NM.

Ripple, S., T. Widner, and T. Mongan. 1996. Past radionuclide releases from routine operations at Rocky Flats. Health Physics 71(4):502-9.

Widner, T., S. Ripple, and J. Buddenbaum. 1996. Identification and screening evaluation of key historical materials and emission sources at the Oak Ridge Reservation. Health Physics 71(4): 457-69.

For Additional information, please contact Ellen Donovan at edonovan@chemrisk.com; (415) 618-3222