Beryllium-Copper: How safe?


now more and more hifi accessories like power plug, receptacles has Beryllium-copper in them. just curious how safe are beryllium-copper in our normal household? say receptacles with BE-copper contact, and with constant plugging in/out of the plug, will it be a concern?

just me being paranoid....

cheers
driver73

Showing 1 response by don_s

The information about beryllium dust vs the beryllium/copper alloy is correct.

Take a ride with me in my way-back machine. Decades ago when I worked in environmental control one of the sites I inspected was a beryllium smelter. I think it was the only one in the United States. Since I was told the ore came from South America, I always thought it was funny that the plant was located in my territory in a small town in northwestern Ohio.

The smelting and machining processes required strict environmental controls and personal protection including respirators and skin protection. The finished beryllium/copper alloy products (non-sparking hand tools)were safe to use without gloves. In fact I saw their non-sparking drum wrenches in use at many of the other sites I inspected.

Bottom line, don't worry about the alloy.