Beryllium

Classification

OSHA's beryllium standard (29 CFR 1910.1024(m)) requires classification to address at least: cancer; lung effects, including chronic beryllium disease and acute beryllium disease; beryllium sensitization; skin sensitization; and irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Beryllium metal powder is generally also classified as toxic if swallowed (H301) and fatal if inhaled (H330), which requires the skull and crossbones pictogram. Exact GHS categories and hazard statements vary by product, so check the supplier safety data sheet.

Hazards to expect on the label

• Fatal if inhaled; toxic if swallowed.
• May cause cancer.
• Causes damage to the lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
• May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• Causes skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.

Key precautionary statements

• P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
• P260 Do not breathe dust or fume.
• P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
• P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection.
• P308+P313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice or attention.
• P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

OSHA also requires container labels reading DANGER / CONTAINS BERYLLIUM / MAY CAUSE CANCER / CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS / AVOID CREATING DUST / DO NOT GET ON SKIN.

Limits are measured as beryllium and apply to the metal, its alloys and compounds. OSHA's beryllium standards (29 CFR 1910.1024 general industry, 1926.1124 construction, 1915.1024 shipyards) set an 8-hour TWA PEL of 0.2 µg/m³, a 15-minute STEL of 2.0 µg/m³, and an action level of 0.1 µg/m³. These are among the lowest limits OSHA enforces. The general industry standard does not cover materials with less than 0.1% beryllium by weight when objective data show exposure stays below the action level. NIOSH treats beryllium as a potential occupational carcinogen; its IDLH is 4 mg/m³. ACGIH TLVs are not reproduced here; check the current ACGIH listing. State OSHA plans may set different limits.

• Appearance: Hard, brittle, gray-white metal. Most exposure is to fine dust or fume from beryllium alloys, ceramics and some abrasive blasting slags
• Odor: Odorless
• Molecular weight: 9.0
• Boiling point: 4532°F (2500°C)
• Melting point: 2349°F (1287°C)
• Flash point: Not applicable; noncombustible in bulk, slight explosion hazard as a powder or dust
• Explosive limits: Not applicable
• Vapor pressure: 0 mmHg (approx.)
• Specific gravity: 1.85
• Water solubility: Insoluble

Inhalation

Dust and fume from machining, grinding, melting, welding and abrasive blasting with coal slag are the main sources. Some workers become sensitized (an immune response) after exposure. A sensitized worker who keeps breathing beryllium can develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a scarring, granulomatous lung disease. High short-term exposures can cause acute beryllium disease, a chemical inflammation of the lungs.

Skin

Causes irritation and allergic dermatitis. Skin contact, especially through cuts, can also sensitize workers, which is why OSHA requires protective clothing where skin contact is expected.

Eyes

Dust irritates the eyes.

Ingestion

Not a major route at work, but hand-to-mouth transfer should be prevented.

Target organs

Lungs and respiratory system, skin, eyes

Long-term effects

CBD causes loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, chest pain, cough, clubbing of the fingers and progressive breathing failure. It can appear years after exposure ends. Beryllium causes lung cancer, and IARC classifies beryllium and its compounds as Group 1.

Gloves

Impermeable gloves wherever skin contact with beryllium dust or solutions is expected; cover cuts. See hand protection.

Eyes and face

Safety glasses with side shields or goggles.

Respiratory

NIOSH lists, by concentration: up to 2 µg/m³, a full-facepiece air-purifying respirator with N95, R95 or P95 filters or better; up to 5 µg/m³, a loose-fitting PAPR with a HEPA filter or continuous-flow supplied air with a hood; up to 10 µg/m³, a full-facepiece respirator with N100, R100 or P100 filters, a tight-fitting PAPR or supplied air; up to 400 µg/m³, a pressure-demand supplied-air respirator; and a pressure-demand SCBA for emergencies or unknown levels. Employers must provide a PAPR on request when it gives enough protection, under a written respiratory protection program.

Clothing

Coveralls, head and foot coverings where exposure exceeds the PEL or STEL or skin contact is expected, provided at no cost. Remove at the end of the shift or task, store apart from street clothes, and bag in sealed, labeled containers.

Store in tightly closed containers in a dry, well-ventilated area. Keep a written exposure control plan, mark beryllium work areas and regulated areas, and limit entry to regulated areas.

Use substitution, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation and wet methods where feasible. Clean mainly with HEPA-filtered vacuums; dry sweeping or brushing is allowed only where HEPA vacuuming and other methods are not feasible, and compressed air only with capture ventilation. Prevent beryllium from leaving the work area on skin, clothing or equipment.

Keep away from

• Acids
• Caustics (strong bases)
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Oxidizers
• Molten lithium

• Keep unprotected people out of the area.
• Wear a respirator with HEPA (N100/P100) filters or better, gloves, coveralls and eye protection.
• Collect with a HEPA-filtered vacuum or by wet methods. Do not dry sweep or use compressed air.
• Place in sealed containers labeled DANGER / CONTAINS BERYLLIUM, as OSHA requires.
• For transport incidents, refer to ERG Guide 134 (powder) or 154 (compounds).

Suitable extinguishing media

• Use the agent best suited to the surrounding fire; check the supplier SDS for burning beryllium powder

Special hazards

Bulk metal does not burn, but fine powder or dust is a slight explosion hazard. Fires can release toxic beryllium-containing fume. Firefighters should wear SCBA and full protective gear.

• OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Hazardous chemical; labels, safety data sheets and worker training required.
• OSHA Beryllium, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1024): PEL 0.2 µg/m³ TWA, STEL 2.0 µg/m³, action level 0.1 µg/m³, written exposure control plan, beryllium work areas and regulated areas, PPE, hygiene, housekeeping, and medical surveillance including the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) at least every two years. Medical removal protection keeps pay and benefits for six months. Signs read DANGER / REGULATED AREA / BERYLLIUM / MAY CAUSE CANCER / CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS / AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
• OSHA Beryllium, construction (29 CFR 1926.1124) and shipyards (29 CFR 1915.1024): Same PEL, STEL and action level. Abrasive blasting with coal slag is a key exposure source.
• CERCLA hazardous substance (40 CFR 302.4): Beryllium and beryllium powder, reportable quantity 10 lb (4.54 kg). No report is needed when the released solid metal pieces are larger than 100 micrometers in mean diameter. Also an RCRA acute hazardous waste (P015).
• DOT Hazardous Materials (49 CFR 172.101): Beryllium powder, UN1567 (ERG Guide 134); beryllium compounds, n.o.s., UN1566 (ERG Guide 154); Class 6.1.

• NIOSH Pocket Guide: Beryllium and beryllium compounds (as Be)
• NIOSH IDLH: Beryllium compounds (as Be)
• eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.1024 Beryllium
• Federal Register: Beryllium standards for construction and shipyards (2019)
• 40 CFR Part 302 (CERCLA reportable quantities)
• IARC Monographs Volume 100C: Arsenic, Metals, Fibres and Dusts