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ORGANIZATION ISSUES MONEY/POLITICS NEWS INDEX |
Beryllium in dentistry: |
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February 20, 2001 Acting Assistant Secretary R. Davis Layne Dear Acting Secretary Layne: I am writing to request an immediate investigation of four dental laboratory suppliers: Argen Corporation, Speedent Dental Supplies, Jeneric/Pentron Inc., and Jack C. Silicox Ltd. Ohio Citizen Action has recently obtained Material Safety Data Sheets from these four companies for nickel-beryllium alloys. As you know, the primary health hazards associated with beryllium and beryllium alloys are beryllium disease and cancer. All four MSDSs failed to mention chronic beryllium disease, and instead wrote vague descriptions of the illness. In addition, all four MSDSs failed to meet the specific cancer warning as required by federal law. Dental laboratory technicians who work with beryllium-containing alloys are at a grave risk from beryllium exposure, particularly if the dental lab suppliers are not warning them of the health hazards. Given that OSHA has recently recognized that it’s own standard for beryllium exposure may not protect public health, it is critical that all workers who could possibly be exposed to beryllium be provided with adequate warnings. Since the Hazard Communication Standard is based on the concept that workers have the need and the right to know about the hazardous materials they are exposed to in the workplace, it is evident that these four dental laboratory suppliers are violating both the letter and the spirit of that standard. I have enclosed copies of the MSDSs for you to review. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or need additional information. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely, Amy K. Ryder CC: |