[Beryllium Oxide] or Synth-DOA

[Toby Paddock]

Man, this makes me wish I didn't "trim to fit" a beryllium oxide TO3 
insulator with a dremel tool.  Afterwards someone told me "Hey, don't
grind that, it's beryllium oxide. Not good for ya."  That was about 18
years ago.  White in color and very brittle.

Reminds me of my dad telling about gold mining in Alaska. 
"... and then the gold sticks to the mercury.  Then you boil off the 
mercury in a pot over a wood fire. The boss came back and said 
'You didn't breath that did you? It'll make your teeth fall out.'"

 - -- -  Toby Paddock
http://www.seanet.com/~tpaddock

----------
From: 	The Dark force of dance[SMTP:batzman at all-electric.com]
Sent: 	Friday, May 28, 1999 9:47 PM
To: 	Harry Bissell
Cc: 	synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl
Subject: 	Re: [Beryllium Oxide] or Synth-DOA

Y-ellow Harry.
	Thanks for that.
>Good News / Bad News
>The bad news first. Beryllium Oxide is very toxic. Basically, if you inhale
>the dust, you will feel fine for about an hour and then drop stone cold dead.
>There is very little the doctors can do. You are "fucked".

This is not my understanding of the situation. I know that Beryllium Oxide
is carcinogenic. Almost 100% That's how it kills you. This is because it is
a bio-oxidant. It is uncertain that copious amounts of anti-oxidants would
provide some degree of protection.

I'm aware that beryllium oxide is used inside power packages but I have
also seen TO3 washers made from it. It is pink in colour and brittle.
Though I've never got so close as to find out how brittle. (I hope)

<snip>

Anyway thanks for that. I'm not dead yet and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Be absolutely icebox.

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