NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Beryllium & beryllium compounds (as Be) CAS 7440-41-7 (metal)
Be (metal) RTECS DS1750000 (metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names
Beryllium metal: Beryllium
Other synonyms vary depending upon the specific beryllium compound.
DOT ID & Guide
1566 154 (compounds)
1567 134 (powder)
Exposure
Limits
NIOSH REL: Ca Not to exceed 0.0005 mg/m3 See Appendix A
OSHA PEL: TWA 0.002 mg/m3 C 0.005 mg/m3 0.025 mg/m3 [30-minute maximum peak]
IDLH Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)] Conversion
Physical Description
Metal: A hard, brittle, gray-white solid.
MW: 9.0
BP: 4532°F
MLT: 2349°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 1.85 (metal)
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Metal: Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but a slight explosion hazard in the form of a powder or dust.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Acids, caustics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, oxidizers, molten lithium
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7102, 7300; OSHA ID125G, ID206
Personal Protection & Sanitation
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: Daily
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily
Provide: Eyewash
First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately

Breathing: Fresh air

Respirator Recommendations NIOSH
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Berylliosis (chronic exposure): anorexia, weight loss, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), chest pain, cough, clubbing of fingers, cyanosis, pulmonary insufficiency; irritation eyes; dermatitis; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Cancer Site [lung cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION