Working with pure beryllium, beryllium compounds (e.g. beryllium oxide), or beryllium alloys causes occupational exposure.

Beryllium dust and fumes are classified as toxic air pollutants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is estimated that 2–6% of workers exposed to these contaminants eventually develop berylliosis.

This condition is caused by beryllium air pollution that inflames the lungs making them rigid; it can affect the eyes and skin as well. People who have acute berylliosis are usually veryill. Most recover, but some die of the disease.

The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), a blood test that can detect beryllium sensitivity (i.e. an allergic reaction to beryllium), is used to screen individuals at risk of developing berylliosis.

Beryllium Support Group. P.O. Box 2021, Broomfield, CO 80038-2021. (303) 412-7065.

"Beryllium Chemical Backgrounder." Environmental Health Center Page. 28 May 1998

"Beryllium Disease: Reducing the Risks." National Jewish Medical Research Center Page. 28 May 1998

This web site was formally launched on March 12, 1996 by Michael Jackson (:eek:) member of the Beryllium Support Group which meets monthly at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, Colorado. The intent is to provide a platform where any other Beryllium Support Group regardless of affiliation or location can freely participate in the presentation of or transfer of information relating to this incurable disease.


Michael Jackson combined with Beryllium, has to improve your Beryllium status on any search group.

current and historical information relating to the health risks of using beryllium

The essentials

• Name: beryllium
• Symbol: Be
• Atomic number: 4
• Atomic weight: 9.012182 (3)
• CAS Registry ID: 7440-41-7

• Group number: 2
• Group name: Alkaline earth metal
• Period number: 2
• Block: s-block

Here is a brief description of beryllium.

• Standard state: solid at 298 K
• Colour: lead grey
• Classification: Metallic
• Availability: beryllium is available in several forms including foil, lump, and powder. Small and large samples of beryllium foil can be purchased from Advent Research Materials via their web catalogue.

Here is a brief description of beryllium.

• Standard state: solid at 298 K
• Colour: lead grey
• Classification: Metallic
• Availability: beryllium is available in several forms including foil, lump, and powder. Small and large samples of beryllium foil can be purchased from Advent Research Materials via their web catalogue.

Beryllium (IPA: /bəˈrɪliəm/) is the chemical element that has the symbol Be and atomic number 4. A bivalent element, elemental beryllium is a steel grey, strong, light-weight yet brittle, alkaline earth metal. It is primarily used as a hardening agent in alloys (most notably beryllium copper).

Notable characteristicsBeryllium has one of the highest melting points of the light metals. The modulus of elasticity of beryllium is approximately 1/3 greater than that of steel. It has excellent thermal conductivity, is nonmagnetic and resists attack by concentrated nitric acid. It is highly permeable to X-rays, and neutrons are liberated when it is hit by alpha particles, as from radium or polonium (about 30 neutrons/million alpha particles). At standard temperature and pressures beryllium resists oxidation when exposed to air (although its ability to scratch glass is probably due to the formation of a thin layer of the oxide). The speed of sound in beryllium (12,500m/s) is greater than in any other element.