Beryllium

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

2.1 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Metallic product which poses little or no immediate hazard in solid form. See label in Section 16. If the material is involved in a fire; pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by persons potentially exposed to the airborne particulate during or after a fire.

Potential health effects

Exposure to the elements listed in Section 3 by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact can occur when melting, casting, dross handling, pickling, chemical cleaning, heat treating, abrasive cutting, welding, grinding, sanding, polishing, milling, crushing, or otherwise heating or abrading the surface of this material in a manner which generates particulate. Exposure may also occur during repair or maintenance activities on contaminated equipment such as: furnace rebuilding, maintenance or repair of air cleaning equipment, structural renovation, welding, etc. Particulate depositing on hands, gloves, and clothing, can be transferred to the breathing zone and inhaled during normal hand to face motions such as rubbing of the nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc. 2.2.1. Inhalation Particulate containing those elements listed in Section 3 can cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs and mucous membranes. Beryllium: The beryllium in this product is not known to cause acute health effects. Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) in some individuals. See Section 2.2.5 Chronic (long-term health effects). 2.2.2. Ingestion Ingestion can occur from hand, clothing, food and drink contact with particulate during hand to mouth activities such as eating, drinking, smoking, nail biting, etc. Beryllium: The health effect of ingestion of beryllium in the form found in this product is unknown. 2.2.3. Skin Beryllium: Particulate that becomes lodged under the skin has the potential to induce sensitization and skin lesions. 2.2.4. Eyes Exposure may result from direct contact with airborne particulate or contact to the eye with contaminated hands or clothing. Damage can result from irritation or mechanical injury to the eyes by particulate. 2.2.5. Chronic (long-term health effects) Beryllium: Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in some individuals. Over time, lung disease can be fatal. Chronic beryllium disease is a hypersensitivity or allergic condition in which the tissues of the lungs become inflamed. This inflammation, sometimes with accompanying fibrosis (scarring), may restrict the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the bloodstream. Medical science suggests that CBD may be related to genetic factors. 2.2.6. Carcinogenic References Beryllium: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists beryllium as a Group 1 – Known Human Carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists beryllium as known to be human carcinogens. IARC lists beryllium as a known human carcinogen (Group 1) and notes that the work environment of workers involved in refining, machining and producing beryllium metal was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, “the greater excess was in workers hired before 1950 when exposures to beryllium in the work place were relatively uncontrolled and much higher than in subsequent decades”; and “the highest risk for lung cancer being observed among individuals diagnosed with acute beryllium-induced pneumonitis, who represent a group that had the most intense exposure to beryllium.” IARC further noted that “Prior to 1950, exposure to beryllium in working environments was usually very high, and concentrations exceeding 1 mg/m3 [1000 micrograms per cubic meter] were not unusual.” 2.2.7. Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure Persons with impaired pulmonary function, airway diseases, or conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, etc. may incur further impairment if particulate is inhaled. If prior damage or disease to the neurologic (nervous), circulatory, hematologic (blood), or urinary (kidney) systems has occurred, proper screening or examinations should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk where handling and use of this material may cause exposure. Beryllium: The effects of chronic beryllium disease on the lungs and heart are additive to the effects of other health conditions.

Environmental effects

See Ecological Information (Section 12)