The Dangers of Beryllium

updated 04/30/2008

Beryllium is an element that presents basically no chemical uses for plant or animal life. It is considered a rare element in both the Earth and in the universe in general because it is not formed through conventional stellar nucleosynthesis.

What is Beryllium?

Beryllium (atomic number: 4, element symbol: Be) is a grayish metal found in volcanic dust, soil, coal and certain mineral rocks. The metal is strong, light-weight and surprisingly brittle. It is commonly used as a hardening agent in alloys like beryllium copper. While pure beryllium is rare, beryllium compounds are more commonly found and they are commercially mined for use in the aerospace, automotive and technology industries as well as in a number of other applications both in the civilian and military sectors.

How am I Exposed to Beryllium?

The general population is exposed to slight levels of beryllium every day in the air we breathe, the foods we eat and the water we drink. For the majority of people, the level of exposure to beryllium is extremely low, but if you live or work near beryllium industries, then your chance for exposure is heightened. People who live near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites are also high risks for beryllium exposure. The most harmful beryllium exposures occur from inhaling high levels of it.

How does Beryllium get into the Environment?

When coal or oil is burned, beryllium dust is released into the atmosphere. As this dust settles, it enters our water supplies and covers the land. It can also enter the water through the natural erosion process of rocks and soil. While some beryllium compounds dissolve once they enter the water, the majority of them combine with other particles and settle to the bottom.

What are the Symptoms of Beryllium Exposure?

Inhalation of beryllium is not only the most common method of exposure, but it is also the most dangerous. If an individual inhales enough beryllium particles (greater than 100 µg/m³), then they may experience a pneumonia-like condition called Acute Beryllium Disease.

Since one to fifteen percent of the population is highly sensitive to beryllium, those individuals may also exhibit an inflammatory condition in their respiratory system. This is known as Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD). The symptoms associated with Chronic Beryllium Disease include:

Ingestion of beryllium has not shown to cause any adverse reactions in humans since the beryllium does not get absorbed by the stomach or intestines. However, beryllium has been shown to cause ulcers in dogs that have ingested it. Plus, when open cuts or scrapes on the skin come into contact with beryllium, it has shown to cause rashes or ulcers.

Is Beryllium a Cancer-Causing Agent?

Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHC) have reported that their findings indicate beryllium is indeed a carcinogen if the levels of exposure are high enough and occur over a sufficient length of time. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined beryllium a probable carcinogen. The EPA has stated that the odds of an individual developing lung cancer from beryllium inhalation are one in a thousand if the lifetime exposure is measured at 0.04 µg/m³.

How do I Test Myself for Beryllium Exposure?

Doctors can test for beryllium levels in the body by performing tests on a patient's blood or urine. Beryllium can also be measured from skin or lung samples as well. While these tests will indicate how much beryllium you have in your body, they cannot indicate your level of exposure or place a time stamp on your exposure.

For patients who are suffering from Chronic Beryllium Disease, a blood test called a Blood Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (BeLPT) can be performed which will identify the sensitization of beryllium in the patient.

Read Dr. Group's Chemical & Heavy Metals Cleanse

Sitemap | Affiliates | Articles | Health Products | Privacy Policy †DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. We design and recommend individual nutritional programs and supplements that allow the body to rebuild and heal itself. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition, see your physician of choice. This Web site contains links to Web sites operated by other parties. Such links are provided for your convenience and reference only. We are not responsible for the content or products of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site.