Beryllium

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General information:

Beryllium metal in massive form and as contained in articles presents no special health risks.  

The following relate to exposure to beryllium particulates that could be generated during processing:

Inhalation:

Breathing difficulty caused by inhalation of particulate requires immediate removal to fresh air and medical assistance if needed.       

Skin:

Thoroughly wash skin cuts or wounds to remove all particulate debris from the wound.  Seek medical attention for wounds that cannot be thoroughly cleansed.  Treat skin cuts and wounds with standard first aid practices such as cleansing, disinfecting and covering to prevent wound infection and contamination before continuing work.  Obtain medical help for persistent irritation.  Material accidentally implanted or lodged under the skin must be removed.

Eyes:

Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.

After Ingestion:

Beryllium does not present an ingestion hazard.  

Information to Physician:

Treatment of Chronic Beryllium Disease:

There is no known treatment which will cure chronic beryllium disease.  Prednisone or other corticosteroids are the most specific treatment currently available.  They are directed at suppressing the immunological reaction and can be effective in diminishing signs and symptoms of chronic beryllium disease.  In cases where steroid therapy has had only partial or minimal effectiveness, other immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or methotrexate, have been used.  These latter agents remain investigational.  Further, in view of the potential side effects of all the immunosuppressive medications, including steroids such as prednisone, they should be used only under the direct care of a physician.  In general, these medications should be reserved for cases with significant symptoms and/or significant loss of lung function.  Other symptomatic treatment, such as oxygen, inhaled steroids or bronchodilators, may be prescribed by some physicians and can be effective in selected cases.

The decision about when and with what medication to treat is a judgment situation for individual physicians.  For the most part, treatment is reserved for those persons with symptoms and measurable loss of lung function.  The value of starting oral steroid treatment, before signs or symptoms are evident, remains a medically unresolved issue.

The effects of continued low exposure to beryllium are unknown for individuals who are sensitized to beryllium or who have a diagnosis of chronic beryllium disease.  It is generally recommended that persons who are sensitized to beryllium or who have CBD terminate their occupational exposure to beryllium.

Fire-fighting measures

Beryllium products are not flammable. Only in powder or other finely divided form does this material present a special fire problem. Do not use water or carbon dioxide to extinguish beryllium powder fires.  As a powder, extinguish by smothering using a Class D fire extinguisher, dry sand, graphite powder, or sodium chloride.  Do not use water to extinguish fires around operations involving molten metal due to the potential for steam explosions.  In addition, water may disassociate when in contact with burning beryllium powder or chips releasing flammable hydrogen gas which could burn and result in an explosion.

Ventilation duct work which has accumulated a fine coating of beryllium dust on its internal surface poses a potential fire hazard.  Because of this potential risk, sources of ignition such as flame, spark from machining of other materials, welding spark, etc. must not be allowed to enter the ventilation duct work. Also, duct work must be made of non-combustible material.

If this material becomes airborne as a respirable particulate during a fire situation, pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn by firefighters or any other persons potentially exposed to the metal fumes.

Accidental release measures

No special measures are needed for releases involving beryllium in massive form. If this material is a particulate, establish a restricted entry zone based on the severity of the spill.  Persons entering the restricted zone must wear adequate respiratory protection and protective clothing appropriate for the severity of the spill. Cleanup spills with a vacuum system utilizing a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system followed by wet cleaning methods.  Special precautions must be taken when changing filters on HEPA vacuum cleaners used to clean up hazardous materials.  Be careful to minimize airborne generation of particulate and avoid contamination of air and water.

Handling and storage

Handling:

No specific requirements for protective measures. The use of protective gloves is recommended to prevent mechanical risks such as cuts and skin injuries. Particulate may enter the body through cuts, abrasions or other wounds on the surface of the skin.  

If in powder form, keep storage container tightly sealed and material transfers in closed systems or within a completely hooded containment with local exhaust ventilation.  Prevent spillage, contact with clothing and flush container clean before discarding.  

Storage:

Store in a dry area.  No prohibitions for mixed-goods-storage.

Handling:

No specific requirements for protective measures. The use of protective gloves is recommended to prevent mechanical risks such as cuts and skin injuries.

Storage:

No special precautions required. No prohibitions for mixed-goods-storage.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN number 1567

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Beryllium, Powder

Chemical name:

Beryllium

Language:

English

Labels:

TOXIC, FLAMMABLE SOLID

Special provisions / remarks

Special provisions:

None

Remarks:

There are no special transport requirements for beryllium metal in massive forms. The following applies to beryllium in powder form.
When shipping beryllium metal powder, regulations require beryllium powder to regarded as a flammable solid even though testing confirms that Be powder is not flammable or explosive. Beryllium metal powder is like many metal powders that have the potential to ignite or even explode when highly concentrated in air atmospheres.

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

1567

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Beryllium, Powder

Chemical name:

Beryllium

Language:

English

Labels:

TOXIC, FLAMMABLE SOLID

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

There are no special transport requirements for beryllium metal in massive forms. The following applies to beryllium in powder form.
When shipping beryllium metal powder, regulations require beryllium powder to regarded as a flammable solid even though testing confirms that Be powder is not flammable or explosive. Beryllium metal powder is like many metal powders that have the potential to ignite or even explode when highly concentrated in air atmospheres.

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

1567

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Beryllium, Powder

Chemical name:

Beryllium

Labels:

TOXIC, FLAMMABLE SOLID

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

There are no special transport requirements for beryllium metal in massive forms. The following applies to beryllium in powder form.
When shipping beryllium metal powder, regulations require beryllium powder to regarded as a flammable solid even though testing confirms that Be powder is not flammable or explosive. Beryllium metal powder is like many metal powders that have the potential to ignite or even explode when highly concentrated in air atmospheres.

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

1567

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Beryllium, Powder

Chemical name:

Beryllium

Labels:

TOXIC, FLAMMABLE SOLID

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

There are no special transport requirements for beryllium metal in massive forms. The following applies to beryllium in powder form.
When shipping beryllium metal powder, regulations require beryllium powder to regarded as a flammable solid even though testing confirms that Be powder is not flammable or explosive. Beryllium metal powder is like many metal powders that have the potential to ignite or even explode when highly concentrated in air atmospheres.

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Occupational exposure controls:

▪ Any process which could generate airborne particulate from the articles must be provided with proper controls to ensure that airborne levels are kept as far below the occupational exposure standards as is practically possible.

▪ Control should be achieved by means of local exhaust ventilation fitted with appropriate filtration of category K1.

Activities without full protection, such as repair and maintenance of machinery, processing equipment, ductwork, or filter change, may require the use of personal respiratory protective equipment (filter mask) and protective over-garments. Clothing contaminated by such work must be handled/cleaned in a controlled manner in order to prevent secondary exposure of workers or third parties.

▪ The installation and use of local exhaust ventilation and the use of respiratory equipment requires specialist advice and approval in order to ensure full protection.

Respiratory protection:

As supplied the beryllium products, as imported articles in massive form, do not present any risk to human health by inhalation. In case of physical and chemical modification of the products by processing, resulting in possible release of emission, local exhaust ventilation is required.

Hand protection:

Follow the standard work place hygiene recommendations. Avoid contact with skin. Cloves, protection against cuts, for example leather gloves, against mechanical risks (EN 388).

Eye protection:

Not necessary for the beryllium products as imported articles in massive form.

Stability and reactivity

▪ Beryllium products, as imported articles in massive form, are stable.

▪ Acid treatment may generate explosive hydrogen.

▪ Inhalation of released particulate must be prevented by safety precautions.

Disposal considerations

▪ There are no special disposable requirements for beryllium or beryllium containing alloys in massive form.

▪ Beryllium scrap is recyclable if kept clean and separate from other materials. Consult supplier for scrap returns.

▪ Uncontaminated beryllium products in massive form as waste/scrap for recovery are classified in accordance to the Basel Convention and OECD Green Control Procedure – see Annex IX of the Basel Convention: B1020 (Clean uncontaminated metal scrap, including alloys in bulk finished form (sheet, plate, beams, rods, etc.). There are no hazard labelling requirements.