Consumer Factsheet on: BERYLLIUM
List of
Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact
sheet is part of a larger publication: National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or
private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in
amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
What is Beryllium and how is it used?
Beryllium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other
elements, and in some precious stones such as emeralds and aquamarine. The
greatest use of beryllium is in making metal alloys for nuclear reactors and
the aerospace industry.
Why is Beryllium being regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for beryllium has been set at 4 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove
contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has also been set at 4 ppb because EPA believes, given present
technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these
standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All
public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the health effects?
Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in excess of the MCL for many years could develp intestinal lesions.
This health effects language is not intended to catalogue all possible health effects for beryllium. Rather, it is intended to inform consumers of the most significant and probably health effects associated with beryllium in drinking water.
How much Beryllium is produced and released to the environment?
Production of beryllium metal was 490,000 lbs. in 1986. It is released
principally in the smoke stacks and ash wastes of power plants which burn coal.
It is also found in discharges from other industrial and municipal operations.
Rocket exhaust products also consist of various beryllium compounds.
From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics Release Inventory beryllium
releases to land and water totaled over 340,000 lbs. These releases were
primarily from copper rolling and drawing industries which use it as a hardener
in alloys. The largest releases occurred in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
What happens to Beryllium when it is released to the environment?
Very little is known about what happens to beryllium compounds when released
to the environment. It appears unlikely to leach to ground water when released
to land. Erosion or runoff of beryllium compounds into surface waters is not
likely to be in a soluble form.
How will Beryllium be detected in and removed from my drinking water?
The regulation for beryllium became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and
1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and
analyze them to find out if beryllium is present above 4 ppb. If it is present
above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3
months.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of beryllium so that it is
consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been
approved by EPA for removing beryllium: Activated Alumina,
Coagulation/filtration, Ion Exchange, Lime Softening, Reverse Osmosis.
How will I know if Beryllium is in my drinking water?
If the levels of beryllium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public
via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as
providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent
serious risks to public health.
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or
private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in
amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Drinking Water Standards:
MCLG: 4 ppb
MCL: 4 ppb
Beryllium Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
|
Water |
Land |
TOTALS |
1,314 |
341,721 |
|
Top Five States
| |
PA |
653 |
174,250
|
OH |
490 |
166,292
|
MI |
5 |
1,000
|
TX |
0 |
174
|
MN |
142 |
0
|
|
Major Industries
| |
Copper rolling, drawing |
405 |
180,502
|
Nonferrous metal smelting |
481 |
151,790
|
Nonferrous rolling, drawing |
4 |
8,000
|
Aluminum foundries |
5 |
1,000
|
Blast furnaces, steelworks |
250 |
250
|
Petroleum refining |
142 |
174
|
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and
to support local efforts to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone books government listings are a good
starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they test for
in your water, as well as how your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source of
information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water in
general, call: EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your
state, contact the: Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.
|