Nearly 2,000 current and former Los Alamos National Laboratory employees and visitors may have been exposed to beryllium in the lab and may be at risk of disease.

Beryllium is an extremely light, hard, non-radioactive silver-gray metal that is purified to use in nuclear weapons and reactors, aerospace work, electronics, golf clubs and bicycle frames. However, in a particulate or finely powdered form it is hazardous and can cause chronic beryllium disease that impairs lung function.

Officials discovered contamination on a box of beryllium, but officials discovered the box was not the source and tested an area of the lab building where they found surface contamination. The building had last been tested in 2001, so everyone who visited the secure area has to be tested.

Letters went out Wednesday to the people who might have been exposed, telling them that the lab is arranging a beryllium sensitivity test for them and that it will arrange for them to meet with an industrial hygenist to discuss concerns about their possible exposure.