This project led to the development of a guide for a beryllium decontamination protocol, including control measures to protect workers from unnecessary exposures. This guide will compliment the Guide of Good Practice on clean-up and decontamination used in Quebec

Beryllium in the air and on surfaces in workplaces can harm human health and can lead to lung disease with prolonged exposure. This research assessed the effectiveness of various cleaning solutions, surface sampling techniques, and methods used in cleaning and decontaminating workplaces where beryllium is present. The study found that several factors are important in determining whether the threshold value (considered ‘beryllium free’) can be achieved, including: the surface on which the beryllium dusts are deposited, the beryllium compound, the cleaning solution, the sampling technique and the individual applying the technique

The researchers make recommendations for cleaning and decontaminating workplaces in which beryllium is present, and a workplace guide based on the findings is in development