Beryl

Synonyms

Beryl ore; Beryllium aluminium silicate; Beryllium aluminosilicate; Beryllium aluminum silicate; Natural beryl; [ChemIDplus] UN1566

Category

Other Mineral Dusts

Description

Colorless, white, yellow, green, or blue solid; [HSDB] White powder; Insoluble in water; [Gelest MSDS]

Sources/Uses

The most abundant mineral with high concentrations of beryllium oxide; Used as a source of beryllium; [HSDB] Of the more than 50 beryllium-containing minerals, only beryl and bertrandite have economic significance. [Reference #1]

Comments

Beryllium is linked to lung cancer from studies of workers with beryllium disease and in a cohort of seven beryllium-processing plants. Higher risks occurred in workers with the highest exposures (hired before 1950). [Reference #1] May cause irritation; [Gelest MSDS] See "Beryllium" and linked occupational diseases.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

5E-05 mg/m3, as Be, Inhalable fraction

0.002 mg/m3, as Be, Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.005 mg/m3, as Be (0.025 mg/m3,as Be,for 30 min.peak per 8-hr shift)

4 mg/m3, as Be

Explanatory Notes

IARC and ACGIH carcinogen classifications are for beryllium and compounds;The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Beryllium compound, n.o.s."

Yes

Established

Confirmed Human

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Chronic beryllium disease

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Mining