TOLEDO (AP) - The government and companies that produce beryllium, a potentially toxic metal used in the defense industry, must take swift action to ensure that thousands of workers are not exposed to the deadly lung disease, a scientist said.

''We have yet to go into a company using beryllium and not find beryllium disease no matter how seemingly small the exposures have been,'' Newman said.

Beryllium is used in missiles, bombs and jet fighters. Hundreds of workers across the nation who have been exposed to the metal's dust have contracted beryllium disease, which attacks the lungs and restricts breathing. There is no cure.

Last month, The Blade published results of a 22-month investigation that found government and industry officials knew for years about the dangers of beryllium, but allowed employees to be exposed.

Brush Wellman Inc. of Cleveland is the leading U.S. beryllium producer.

Company spokesman Hugh Hanes called the comments ''outrageous.''

''There is no evidence of anything approaching an epidemic outside of the primary and secondary manufacturing industries surrounding beryllium,'' Hanes said.