On August 5, 2015, OSHA announced a proposed rule that would lower the permissible exposure limit for beryllium and lower workplace exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds. The current PEL for beryllium is 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air, and was established by the Atomic Energy Commission in 1948 and adopted by OSHA in 1971.

During hazard communication and chemical safety training, the practice of reviewing the SDS for a chemical prior to initiating use of that chemical is discussed. Every person working in the lab knows that they should review SDSs for the chemicals being utilized, but when was the last time that you actually took the time to sit down and read an entire SDS in detail?