Coors Porcelain performed beryllium work for the Atomic Energy Commission. An early AEC document makes reference to Coors Porcelain’s involvement in beryllium work during the period from 1947-1948. Coors Porcelain had an earlier contract with the Clinton Engineer Works but it is unclear whether beryllium was involved.

From 1957 through 1964, the company worked as a subcontractor with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on Project Pluto, a project undertaken to determine the feasibility of using heat from reactors as the energy source for ramjet engines. Coors developed fuel elements from beryllium ceramics for the project, which began in 1957 and ended in 1964.

Coors Porcelain performed other beryllium work for DOE after the completion of Project Pluto. A 1993 health study of Coors workers indicated that the company produced beryllia ceramics though 1975, presumably for the AEC/DOE. In 1985, the vendor discovered residual beryllium contamination in the building where it had done beryllium work for the AEC, and hired a private contractor to remediate and demolish the building. The contractor completed this remediation work by the end of 1985.

Alternative Names

• Coors Ceramic
• Coors Tek

Type of Facility

• Beryllium Vendor

Covered by EEOICPA

• Part B

EEOICPA Covered Years

• 1947-1975
• 1985 

Did work for:

• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

DOE

• DOE Facility List by Name
• FUSRAP Considered Site

DOL

• Tracking your DOL Claim Status
• Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health
• Ombudsman’s Office
• Resource Center
• DOL Case and Claim Statistics
• Circular 07-06:This Circular expands the covered time period for the Coors Porcelain Company in Golden, Colorado