1.   Exposure to beryllium dust or fumes over time can result in chronic beryllium disease, an inflammatory lung condition that is potentially disabling and sometimes fatal, Talbot said.

2.   Newman said that while McCarron showed no signs of beryllium disease he should be medically monitored because of the eight years he worked around beryllium dust.

3.   Some, however, suffer from diseases that are unusual outside the weapons complex, notably berylliosis, a condition that comes from exposure to beryllium dust.

4.   The greatest danger comes from breathing beryllium dust.

5.   The plant also used techniques, such as wet machining of parts and the use of exhaust fans, that minimized beryllium dust.