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Elements

Factual: Science & Nature

Chemical elements: where do we get them and how do they fit into our economy?

A close look at chemical elements, the basic building blocks of the universe. Where do we get them, what do we use them for and how do they fit into our economy?

Elements: Magnesium and Beryllium

19/03/2016 GMT

Magnesium and Beryllium

BBC World Service - Elements, Magnesium and Beryllium

Two metals with sinister reputations - one for flammability, the other for lung disease

Two metals with sinister reputations - one for bursting into flames, the other for causing lung disease - so are they safe to use in the bodies of aeroplanes and cars?

Two chemical elements with sinister pasts - one helped fuel the worst conflagration in motorsports history, the other destroyed the lungs of unsuspecting nuclear workers. They are also two of the lightest metals in the periodic table - making them ideal for car and aeroplane parts. But are they safe to use?

Presenter Laurence Knight travels to alloys maker Magnesium Elektron to discover whether the metal deserves its fiery reputation, and the work they are doing to reintroduce it into aeroplane seating.

We also hear from the Hanford former nuclear weapons site in Washington State, where the BBC's Gianna Palmer investigates what is being done for ex-employees who were poisoned by beryllium dust. And, IBC Advanced Alloys explain how they protect the health of their workers manufacturing beryllium-aluminium parts for aerospace.

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