About Beryllium

Beryllium is a naturally occurring element found in soil in the form of beryl and in rock in the form of bertrandite.  Beryllium is lighter than aluminum yet stiffer than steel. It is a good electrical and thermal conductor and it is non-magnetic. While beryllium occurs naturally in soils and in coal, naturally occurring air concentrations are extremely low even in major urban areas.

 

Beryllium is extremely lightweight, hard, a good electrical and thermal conductor, and non-magnetic. It is used by many industries, including:

• Aerospace - components made from pure beryllium as well as copper-, aluminum-, nickel-, and magnesium-beryllium alloys

• Ceramic manufacturing - semi-conductor chips, ignition modules, crucibles, jet engine blades and rocket covers

• Electronics - transistors, heat sinks, x-ray windows, computer and telecommunication parts, and automotive parts

• Atomic energy and defense industries - heat shields, nuclear reactors, components for nuclear weapons

• Laboratory work - research and development, metallurgy, chemistry

• Mineral extraction - ore

• Dental work - alloys in crowns, bridges, and dental plates

• Metal recycling - computers, electronics, copper-alloy tubing, rod and wire

• Sporting goods - golf clubs

• Fluorescent lamps - prior to 1951, beryllium was used in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps

 

Effects of Beryllium Exposure 

Beryllium has been shown to cause cancer in humans and in many species of animals. Studies have confirmed the association between beryllium exposure and lung cancer in humans, especially in individuals with beryllium-related lung disease ⁴.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified beryllium as a human carcinogen. 

However, despite possibly leading to cancer, the far more common health concerns for beryllium-exposed individuals are beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD), as levels of exposure are generally lower now than they were many decades ago when some of the cancer studies were conducted.

Handling beryllium in its solid form, such as a finished computer part that contains beryllium, is not known to cause illness. However, some people who inhale beryllium dust or fumes will develop problems. Although beryllium primarily affects the lungs, it can also cause a rash, poor wound healing, or wart-like skin bumps if it enters the body through an opening in the skin, such as through a sliver or cut.

Low levels of beryllium are found naturally in soil and air, but there is not enough beryllium in the air or soil to cause beryllium sensitization or CBD from these sources alone.

Some commonly used alloys include beryllium copper (up to 4% beryllium), beryllium aluminum (20-60% beryllium), and beryllium nickel (0.275 to 7% beryllium).  Studies have shown that alloys that contain beryllium can be just as hazardous as pure beryllium metal. A 1999 report summarized two cases of chronic beryllium disease caused by copper alloy containing 2% beryllium ¹. Other studies have shown that breathing even seemingly trivial amounts of beryllium can cause beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease ^2,3.

 

References

1. Balkissoon RC, Newman LS. Beryllium copper alloy (2%) causes chronic beryllium disease. J Occup Environ Med 1999; 41: 304-308.

2. Kreiss K, Mroz MM, Zhen B, Martyny JW, Newman LS. Epidemiology of beryllium sensitization and disease in nuclear workers. Am Rev Respir Dis 1993; 148:985-991.

3. Newman LS, Kreiss K. Non-occupational chronic beryllium disease masquerading as sarcoidosis: Identification by blood lymphocyte proliferative response to beryllium. Am Rev Respir Dis 1992; 145:1212-1214.

4. Steenland K, Ward E. Lung Cancer Incidence Among Patients With Beryllium Disease: A Cohort Mortality Study. J Natl Cancer Inst 1991; 83:1380-1385.