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Lorain close to deal on beryllium
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| By TOM GERMUSKA, JR.,
Morning Journal City Editor |
May 02,
2000 |
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| LORAIN -- Law Director
Mark Provenza has negotiated an agreement with the world's largest
producer and manufacturer of beryllium products that would guarantee
the potentially harmful metal is never used at the company's Lorain
facility. |
The proposed deal between the city and Brush Wellman Inc. has
been sent to a City Council committee for discussion Monday. The
meeting was originally called to discuss an ordinance that would ban
the use of beryllium anywhere in Lorain, but Councilwoman Kathy
Tavenner, D-at-large, said the new agreement with Brush Wellman will
be the featured topic of discussion.
''I would feel better
with the ban, but I've received little support in the past 14
months,'' Tavenner said. ''I'm willing to bend. The main goal will
still be accomplished, and the city will be safer.''
The
proposed agreement includes the promise from Brush Wellman that the
company will never ''produce, store or manufacture beryllium or
beryllium compounds which result in or cause respirable beryllium
fumes, dusts or powder within the corporate limits'' of Lorain.
The Brush Wellman plant in Lorain manufactures bronze
materials, but the company has previously refused to promise
beryllium would not be used at some point in the future in Lorain.
The proposed agreement provides that guarantee, but does not
set any type of citywide precedent banning the metal. Such
legislation could be copied by other cities and cause potential
problems for Brush Wellman elsewhere.
Tavenner has led the
charge to ban the use of beryllium in Lorain for more than a year.
She started her campaign after information after learning about
diseases related to beryllium fumes and dust.
Provenza said
he finished discussions with attorneys for Brush Wellman yesterday,
and they are comfortable with the agreement. Brush Wellman officials
were not available for comment last night.
''This
accomplishes what we were asked to address,'' Provenza said. ''But
it won't do anything to finished beryllium products like golf clubs
or items at every hospital.
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| ©The
Morning Journal 2000 |
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