Now that Brush Ceramic Products has a new air-quality permit and has agreed to participate in more stringent off-site testing for beryllium dust, the Sunnyside Unified School District wants to talk to community members about the future of air monitoring at the schools near the industrial plant.
A forum will be held Tuesday at Sunnyside High School, 1725 E. Bilby Road, moderated by Sunnyside officials and representatives of the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, the agency now responsible for air testing.
"If people are concerned about the amount of beryllium, this would be a good time for them to sit down and talk to the PDEQ people and get more information," said Gene Repola, the school district's assistant superintendent for facilities.
For about five years, South Side residents have complained that the district and Brush Ceramics, part of Cleveland-based Brush Wellman Engineered Materials Inc., haven't done enough to ensure the safety of students and faculty at sites within a mile of the plant, which produces beryllium oxide products.
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In March 2005, a low level of beryllium dust was found in the Sunnyside High School administration building, though no one tested positive for illnesses related to beryllium dust.
At least 30 workers at the plant, 6100 S. Tucson Blvd., have contracted incurable chronic beryllium disease. At least two have died.
But the biggest complaint residents have made concerns district funds paying for air-quality testing at the sites on district property. The district paid at least $30,000 a year to test for beryllium at its four sites — now increased to six. Pima County now will pay for the testing, and Brush Ceramic will pay $80,000 to maintain the testing sites on district property.
District officials now are only responsible for collecting the filters that would collect any traces of beryllium dust, Repola said.
Though Brush Ceramic is only required to test for beryllium dust on its property once a year — the company formerly had volunteered to test there four times a year — Pima County officials will have more oversight into the company's operations.
"Overall, it's going to be better because the permit has more teeth in it," Repola said.
l What: A public forum to discuss air-quality testing of beryllium dust near Brush Ceramic Products
l When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
l Where: The cafeteria of Sunnyside High School, 1725 E. Bilby Road
l Who: Representatives from the Sunnyside Unified School District and Pima County Department of Environmental Quality will participate
Read the new Brush Ceramic air-quality permit: www.deq.pima.gov/permits/ PDEQProposedFinalPermits. htm
