Beryllium

Full Profile

General Information

Beryllium (chemical symbol Be) is a silver-gray coloured metallic element^[2] that occurs naturally at low concentrations in the earth's crust.^[3] Two kinds of beryllium minerals are mined commercially, bertrandite and beryl (of which emeralds are a type).^[4]

Beryllium and its compounds have been classified by IARC as Group 1 agent, carcinogenic to humans, with a well-established link to lung cancer.^{[3,5, ]} A recent review of Class 1 carcinogens by IARC reaffirmed this classification.^[18]

Beryllium is highly sensitizing, even at very low levels of exposure in susceptible individuals. Exposure can cause acute beryllium disease (ABD) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).^[4] ABD is a condition that resembles pneumonia. It can occur after short-term, high levels of exposure to beryllium (>1 mg/m³).^[4] CBD is an inflammatory lung disease that causes fibrosis. The relationship between sensitization to beryllium and the subsequent development of disease is not yet fully understood. In addition, there is no known lower limit for beryllium sensitization and development of CBD.^[4] Dermal contact can also lead to an allergic response.^[4]

Beryllium and its compounds have been ranked by CAREX Canada as a Group A (immediate high priority) for occupational settings and as a Group B (possible high priority) for environmental settings. Prioritization was based on the carcinogenicity and other toxic properties of the substance, the prevalence of exposure in Canada, and the feasibility of assessing exposure.

Regulations and Guidelines

Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)

Canadian Jurisdictions	OEL (mg/m3)
Canada Labour Code	0.00005 [i, sk, sen]
BC	0.002 [sk, sen] 0.01 [stel]
AB, SK, ON	0.002 0.01 [stel]
MB, NL, PEI, NS, NB	0.00005 [i, sk, sen]
QC	0.00015 [sen]
YT	0.002
NT, NU	0.002 0.006 [stel]
Other Jurisdiction	OEL (mg/m3)
ACGIH 2011 TLV	0.00005 [i, sk, sen]

Canadian Environmental Guidelines

Beryllium and its compounds were not included in the Canadian environmental guidelines reviewed.^[6-9]

Canadian Agencies/Organizations

Agency	Designation/Position	Year
Health Canada	DSL – high priority substance with lowest potential for exposure	2006[10]

Beryllium was not included in other Canadian government chemical listings reviewed.^[11-12]

Main Uses

Beryllium metal can be used in aircraft/satellite structures, x-ray transmission windows, spacecraft instrumentation, nuclear weapons, mirrors, and computer and audio components.^[2] In alloys, beryllium increases strength as well as thermal and electrical conductivity,^[2] making it a candidate for use in consumer goods like automobiles, computers, sports equipment (especially bike frames), and dental bridges.^[4,13] Beryllium oxide is typically used for specialty ceramics in electrical and high-technology applications.^[4]

Canadian Production and Trade

Emeralds are a type of mineral beryl. The recent discovery of emeralds in British Columbia^[14] indicates several prospects for future beryllium mining in Canada.^[15]

Production and Trade

Activity	Quantity	Year
Export: Mainly to China	6 t of 'beryllium and articles thereof'	2010[16]
Import: Mainly from US	17 t of 'beryllium and articles thereof'	2010[16]

Occupational Exposures

Inhalation is the most important route of occupational exposure.^[2] The main occupations exposed include workers involved in beryllium mining, beryllium alloy production, metal products and related manufacturing, nuclear reactor operation, and electric and electronic equipment production.^[4] Other occupations at risk include metal welders, grinders, sandblasters, machinists, dental workers, and jewellers.^[5]

Although only a small number of workers are exposed to high levels worldwide, the number of workers exposed to low levels is increasing.^[3] This increase is due to increased use of beryllium in the aircraft, aerospace, nuclear, and electronic industries.^[3]

Environmental Exposures

Sources of environmental exposure include the burning of coal^[3] and fuel oil.^[4] Residual beryllium left on work garments may also lead to exposures in the home.^[2]

Beryllium is found at low levels geologically in Canada, mostly in northern BC and southern Yukon, as well as the Northwest Territories.^[17]

Beryllium was not included in the National Pollutant Release Inventory or the Household Products Database.^[19-20]

Sources

1. Wikimedia commons photo; crystalline beryllium (2008)
2. NTP 12th report on carcinogens for Beryllium and Beryllium Compounds (2011) (PDF)
3. IARC monograph summary, Volume 58, 1993 (PDF)
4. ATSDR Toxicological Profile for beryllium (2002) (PDF)
5. 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.' JOEH, 1(10):648-659
6. Health Canada (2006) Food Additives Permitted for Use in Canada
7. Health Canada (2010) Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water
8. Health Canada (1987) Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality
9. Health Canada (2010) Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
10. Health Canada (2006) Categorization of the Domestic Substances List under CEPA
11. Government of Canada (2010) Chemicals Management Plan – List of all Challenge Substances
12. Environment Canada (2010) Toxic Substances List – CEPA Schedule 1
13. Natural Resources Canada, Periodic Table of the Elements. Entry for beryllium (2005)
14. UBC Reports, 'UBC Research Drives Canada's Fledging Emerald Industry – Former Student Makes a Dazzling Discovery,' Volume 49, No. 6, June 2003
15. Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources. MINFILE Search Results for 'beryllium and beryl'
16. TradeMap (Canadian international trade data, free subscription required)
17. Groat, LA, Hart C, Lewis LL, Neufeld H. (2005) 'Emerald and aquamarine mineralization in Canada'. Geoscience Canada, 32(2):65-76
18. IARC Monograph Volume 100: A review of human carcinogens—Part C: metals, arsenic, dusts, and fibres (2009)
19. The National Pollutant Release Inventory
20. Household Products Database (US)

Other Resources

1. Workers Health and Safety Centre Resource Lines (Beryllium: Metal Alert) (2003)
2. IRSST Publication: Speciation and characterization of beryllium dusts (2005) (PDF, French)
3. US Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook (1999): Beryllium
4. IPS INCHEM 2001. Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 32: Beryllium and beryllium compounds