[Amps] Misconceptions about hazmat in ham radio equip

[Bob Nielsen]

Beryllium is an interesting metal, brittle but light weight and  
capable of withstanding very high temperatures.  I used some over 40  
years ago for antennas on the NASA ATS-1 and -3 satellites.  The  
machine shops which handle it must take special precautions to  
capture the dust, which you definitely do not want to inhale.

Bob, N7XY

On Nov 18, 2007, at 12:51 AM, Steve Thompson wrote:

> John Lyles wrote:
>
>> Now for beryllia. It is used in SOME power tubes, not LOTS of  
>> them. Eimac had to include a disclaimer about it with every tube....
>
> I'm intrigued by 'had to' - do you know why?
>
> It is also in beryllium-copper metal used for EMI gasket material
>
> As I understand it: Be metal in BeCu is very safe. Raw Be is
> nasty, but no-one will encounter it in normal life. BeO is toxic
> in the same was as asbestos - it's not poisonous, but the
> particles cause chronic lung irritation that can develop into cancer.
>
> Steve
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