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1871-5532/$32.00

doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2008.05.006

sk Alice H. . .

Q uestion – What is Beryllium and howis it used?

Reading the drinking water regulations.

Dear Reading,

From a pure chemistry perspective Berylliumis an element. Is an alkaline earth metal with anatomic number of 4 and is in the same periodicgroup (on the periodic table) as Magnesium. Itschemical symbol is Be and has a CAS numberof 7440-41-7. The metal can be found in naturaldeposits and is some precious stones such asemeralds and aquamarine. According to theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) thegreatest use of beryllium is in the manufactureof metal alloys for nuclear reactors and theaerospace industry. Beryllium alloys can alsobe found in automobiles, computers, sportsequipment and dental bridges. Beryllium oxi-des are used in specialty ceramics for electricaland high technology applications.

Question – How might be exposed to ber-yllium?

Not sure of exposure.

Dear Not Sure,

You are probably being exposed to very lowlevels of beryllium through air, food, and water.The EPA has set the Maximum ContaminateLevel Goal (MGLC) for beryllium to be 4 ppbin drinking water as this material can be foundin private and public water supplies. Accordingto the Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis-ease Registry (ATSDR), those that have apotential for higher exposures are individualsemployed in areas where beryllium is mined,processed, machined or converted into metalor alloys. Those using beryllium oxides in the

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ceramics industry are also at risk. You can alsobe potentially exposed if you live in an areawhere these industrial activities are occurring.

Question – What are the health effects?Just Wondering

Dear Just Wondering,

As with any material the health effects aregoing to be dependent on the dose and youroverall health condition, i.e., your susceptibil-ity. The ATSDR ToxFAQs indicates that ber-yllium can be harmful if you breathe it. If airlevels are high, an acute condition whichresembles pneumonia can result.

Chronic symptoms may include sensitivity(in 1 to 15% of workers), difficulty in breathing,anorexia, weight loss and right side heart enlar-gement. Some works may not be aware of anysymptoms. Other health effects may includedamage to bones and lungs which could putthe worker at an increased risk for lung cancer.

Question – How can I protect myself fromexposure?

Thinking ahead

Dear Thinking Ahead,

The National Institute for OccupationalHealth and Safety (NIOSH) recommends thefollowing protective measures when workingin areas where beryllium exposure is likely.Prevent contact with dust, use appropriatepersonal protective equipment such as gloves,aprons or disposable outer garments andchange daily and do’nt remove from the work-place. Use engineering controls such as venti-lation with local exhausts in combination withpersonal respiratory protection. Use faceshields and goggles to prevent dust from enter-ing the eyes.

ical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society 55Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.