Material inventory inventory for disposal Jan.-Sept. 95

Beryl ore (11% BeO) 545 — 545 —

Beryllium-copper master alloy 268 — — —

Beryllium metal 363 — — —

Prepared by Deborah A. Kramer, (703) 648-7719.

29

BERYLLIUM

Events, Trends, and Issues: Although U.S. beryllium demand remained flat, the mix of end products changed

slightly. Beryllium metal demand decreased, but demand for beryllium alloys and beryllium oxide ceramics increased.

Much of the increase in alloy demand was in automotive electronics and telecommunications and computers. One

new application for beryllium-aluminum alloys was in some military helicopter electrooptical systems. Because a U.S.

firm has developed a castable beryllium-aluminum alloy, this material could be used to replace aluminum in housings

for avionics or in small structural components.

Two U.S. firms began importing beryllium metal and alloys from Kazakstan during 1994. As a result of this

importation, beryllium metal from Kazakstan became ineligible for special duty status under the Generalized System of

Preferences on July 1, 1995, because the country exceeded its competitive need limits in 1994.

The Defense Logistics Agency continued to offer 2,000-pound lots of beryl from the National Defense Stockpile for

sale once a month. No bids for the material were received.

Beryllium dust and fines have been recognized as the cause of berylliosis, a chronic lung disease. Harmful effects are

minimized by maintaining a clean workplace and requiring the use of safety equipment.

World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base:

Mine production Reserves and reserve base5

1994 1995e

United States 173 225 The United States has very little beryl that

Argentina — 1 can be economically handsorted from pegmatites.

Brazil 34 30 The Spor Mountain area, Utah, contains a large

Chinae 55 55 reserve base of bertrandite, which was being

Kazakstane 4 4 mined. Domestic deposits of bertrandite ores in

Russiae 32 30 Utah and Texas contain about 21,000 tons of

Zimbabwe 1 1 beryllium. The world reserves and reserve base

Other countries 1 1 are not adequately delineated.

World total 300 347

World Resources: No quantitative information is available on foreign resources of beryllium-bearing minerals and

rocks. The identified resources of beryllium in known domestic deposits are estimated at 66,000 tons of contained

beryllium.

Substitutes: Because of the relatively high price of beryllium, uses are expected to continue principally in applications

that require its light weight, high strength, and high thermal conductivity. Steel, titanium, and graphite composites may

be substituted for beryllium metal; phosphor bronze may be substituted for beryllium-copper alloys, but with substantial

loss of performance. Aluminum nitride can substitute for beryllium oxide in some applications.

eEstimated. E Net exporter. NA Not available.

1Data in parentheses denote stockpile acquisitions.

2Data represent the net difference between the estimated beryllium content of beryl shipped for upgrading and stockpile receipts of beryllium metal.

These data are not included in import reliance calculations.

3Defined as imports - exports adjustments for Government and industry stock changes.

4See Appendix B.

5See Appendix C for definitions.

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Beryllium Table (uses and properties)

Beryllium is a light, hard, silver gray metal with unique properties such as strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion (Stonehouse and Zenczak,1991). These properties have contributed to the use of the metal and its oxide in a wide variety of technological applications shown in Table 1 below (Weston et al., 2005). Recent estimates indicate that as many as 134,000 current workers in private industry and government may be exposed to beryllium in the United States (Henneberger et al., 2004). Some workers exposed to beryllium dusts and/or fumes develop may develop an immune response known as sensitization that can be detected in the blood with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). Sensitized workers may have or may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a slowly progressive respiratory disease characterized by the formation of lung lesions called granulomas. These granulomas and accompanying fibrosis cause impairment of the lung’s ability to expand fully and to oxygenate the blood. The rate of progression from less severe to severe disease can vary widely. There is no cure for CBD, although symptoms can be treated.

Since 1998, NIOSH has been conducting research in collaboration with the leading producer of beryllium and beryllium-containing products in the United States. The goal of this research is to prevent sensitization and CBD by developing a better understanding of the work processes and exposures that may present a potential risk for workers, and to develop effective interventions that will reduce the risk for adverse health effects. NIOSH also conducts genetic research on sensitization and CBD, independently of this collaboration.

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Beryllium

NIOSHTIC-2 logo image is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

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Beryllium Research Highlights

Beryllium Research Highlights is a series of newsletters designed to provide information on completed studies, current research findings, and future activities to the participants in our beryllium research.

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NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151

The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards is intended as a source of general industrial hygiene information for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals. The Pocket Guide presents key information and data in abbreviated tabular form for 677 chemicals or substance groupings (e.g., manganese compounds, tellurium compounds, inorganic tin compounds, etc.) that are found in the work environment.

* Beryllium

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)

An ICSC summarizes essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places.

Index for the Letter B

* Beryllia

* Beryllium basic carbonate

* Beryllium carbonate

* Beryllium chloride

* Beryllium diflouride

* Beryllium fluoride

* Beryllium monoxide

* Beryllium nitrate

* Beryllium oxide