CAS Number: 7440-41-7. Beryllium is a hard, grayish metal
naturally found in mineral rocks, coal, soil, and volcanic dust.
Beryllium compounds are commercially mined, and the beryllium is
purified for use in nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft and
space vehicle structures, instruments, x-ray machines, and
mirrors. Beryllium ores are used to make speciality ceramics for
electrical and high-technology applications. Beryllium alloys are
used in automobiles, computers, sports equipment (golf clubs and
bicycle frames), and dental bridges. Chemical formula = Be.
Molecular weight = 9.01 g/mol.
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Inhalation exposure to beryllium primarily occurs in the
workplaces where it is mined, processed, or converted into
alloys and chemicals, or from the burning of coal or fuel oil
and in tobacco smoke. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure
to high levels of beryllium has been observed to cause
inflammation of the lungs or acute pneumonitis (reddening and
swelling of the lungs) in humans; after exposure ends, these
symptoms may be reversible. Chronic (long-term) inhalation
exposure of humans to beryllium has been reported to cause
chronic beryllium disease (berylliosis), in which granulomatous
lesions (noncancerous) develop in the lung. Human epidemiology
studies are limited, but suggest a causal relationship between
beryllium exposure and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Inhalation exposure to beryllium has been demonstrated to cause
lung cancer in rats and monkeys. EPA has classified beryllium
as a Group B1, probable human carcinogen.