options to slow the process of this serious and sometimes fatal respiratory disease. Recently, this organization has worked closely with Noranda / Falconbridge and with nuclear workers in Kazakhstan to develop effective control and medical surveillance programs to prevent further beryllium related disease in their workplaces and communities. 

Mroz also explained that there is no true safe level of Beryllium exposure, but based on the latest research by NJM, it has been identified that when dust levels are controlled at 0.0001 mg/m3, no new cases of Beryllium sensitization have been observed in workers. At Kidd, we have adopted the NJM recommended standard of 0.0001 mg/m3 for airborne Beryllium, which will considerably reduce the risk of  further cases of CBD in our membership. Currently all regulated exposure values in the US and Canada are not adequate to prevent Beryllium Sensitization or CBD.

Dr. Leon Genesove a physician with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, provided the conference delegates with an overview of Beryllium in Ontario. It was reported that in 1997, over 11,700 kg of Beryllium alloy, waste, and scrap was exported into Canada from the US for processing. He also reported that between the periods of 1981 to April 2003, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board have allowed 13 claims for a   variety of Beryllium related diseases.
   
In addition to better occupational exposure limits, all speakers agreed that improved education, effective control programs and medical surveillance programs would greatly help reduce the risk of Beryllium related diseases. Our Local is committed to workers, by providing awareness education on safe Beryllium use. We have also collaborated with Sudbury's Ontario Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) to develop a basic control and medical surveillance program that could be used as a template by industries across Canada to assist them in reducing the risk of Beryllium diseases in their workplaces.