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Beryllium is a light, hard, silver gray metal with unique properties such as strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion (Stonehouse and Zenczak, 1991). These properties have contributed to the use of the metal and its oxide in a wide variety of technological applications shown in Table 1 below (Weston et al., 2005). Recent estimates indicate that as many as 134,000 current workers in private industry and government may be exposed to beryllium in the United States (Henneberger et al., 2004). Some workers exposed to beryllium dusts and/or fumes may develop an immune response known as sensitization that can be detected in the blood with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). Sensitized workers may have or may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a slowly progressive respiratory disease characterized by the formation of lung lesions called granulomas. These granulomas and accompanying fibrosis cause impairment of the lung’s ability to expand fully and to oxygenate the blood. The rate of progression from less severe to severe disease can vary widely. There is no cure for CBD, although symptoms can be treated.

Since 1998, NIOSH has been conducting research in collaboration with the leading producer of beryllium and beryllium-containing products in the United States. The goal of this research is to prevent sensitization and CBD by developing a better understanding of the work processes and exposures that may present a potential risk for workers, and to develop effective interventions that will reduce the risk for adverse health effects. NIOSH also conducts genetic research on sensitization and CBD, independently of this collaboration.

NIOSHTIC-2 Search

NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on beryllium

Activities, Research, and Studies

Beryllium Research Highlights
Beryllium Research Highlights is a series of newsletters written for current and former workers in the beryllium production industry who participated in our beryllium research program. These newsletters provide information about completed studies, current research findings, and future activities to those participants.

NIOSH Resources

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151
The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards is intended as a source of general industrial hygiene information for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals. The Pocket Guide presents key information and data in abbreviated tabular form for 677 chemicals or substance groupings (e.g., manganese compounds, tellurium compounds, inorganic tin compounds) that are found in the work environment.

• Beryllium & beryllium compounds (as Be) CAS No. 7440-41-7

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)
An ICSC summarizes essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places.

Index for the Letter B

• Beryllia
• Beryllium
• Beryllium basic carbonate
• Beryllium carbonate
• Beryllium chloride
• Beryllium diflouride
• Beryllium fluoride
• Beryllium monoxide
• Beryllium nitrate
• Beryllium oxide
• Beryllium sulfate

NIOSH Topic: Respirators
Provides information about respirators, including selection of appropriate respirators, cleaning and maintenance information, certification information, and respirator standards.

Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
NTIS Publication No. PB-94-195047
This publication documents the criteria and information sources that have been used by NIOSH to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLHs).

• Beryllium compounds (as Be)

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)
NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air.

• Beryllium 7300 PDF 117 KB (8 pages)
• Be & compounds 7102 PDF 22 KB (3 pages)
• Elements by ICP (aqua regia ashing) 7301 PDF 107 KB (8 pages)
• Elements by ICP (hot block/HCI/HNO3 digestion) 7303 PDF 86 KB (6 pages)
• Elements on wipes 9102 PDF 110 KB (5 pages)

NIOSH Criteria Documents
Criteria documents are developed to provide the basis for comprehensive occupational safety and health standards. These documents generally contain a critical review of the scientific and technical information available on the prevalence of hazards, the existence of safety and health risks, and the adequacy of methods to identify and control hazards.

• NIOSH Criteria for a recommended standard: Occupational Exposure to Beryllium
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 72-10268 (1972)
  
• Testimony to Department of Labor
  August 19, 1977

U.S. Governmental Resources

Toxicological Profile for Beryllium (ATSDR)
External link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts4.html

OSHA Safety and Health Topic: Beryllium
External link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/beryllium/index.html

References

Stonehouse AJ, Zenczak S [1991]. Properties, production processes, and applications. In: Rossman MD, Preuss O, Powers MB, eds. Beryllium: biomedical and environmental aspects. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, pp. 276 – 655.

Weston A, Snyder J, McCanlies EC, Schuler CR, Andrew ME, Kreiss K, Demchuk E [2005]. Immunogenetic factors in beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease. Mutat Res 592:68-78.

Henneberger PK , Goe SK , Miller WE, Doney B, Groce DW [2004]. Industries in the United States with airborne beryllium exposure and estimates of the number of current workers potentially exposed. J Occup Environ Hyg 1:648-659

Uses and Properties of Beryllium (Table 1) *

* Ag: antigalling, Ca: castability, Co: electrical conductivity, Cr: corrosion resistant, D: use discontinued, Ds: dimensional stability, Er: electrical resistivity, Fo: formability, Hc: heat conductivity, Hr: heat resistant, Lw: light weight, Nm: neutron moderator, No: naturally occurring (as emerald and aquamarine), Ns: non-sparking, Sf: stiffness, Sp: springiness, St: strength, Wr: wear resistant, Xt: X-ray transparent.

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