Beryllium compounds, toxicity

Procedure. Prepare a solution containing 10 jug of beryllium in 50 mL. (CARE Beryllium compounds are toxic.) Use beryllium sulphate, BeS04,4H20. To... 

Beryllium compounds are very toxic and must be handled with great caution. Their properties are dominated by the highly polarizing character of the Be2+ ion and its small size. The strong polarizing power results in moderately covalent compounds, and its small size limits to four the number of groups that can attach to the ion. These two features together are responsible for the prominence of the... 

Because of numerous similarities in their properties and reactions, aluminum and beryllium will be described together even though they are in different groups of the periodic table. Although it is not completely understood, there is some indication that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain may have some relationship to Alzheimer s disease, and beryllium compounds are extremely toxic. 

The elemental metallic form of beryllium is highly toxic, as are most of its compounds. When inhaled, the fumes, dust, or particles of berylhum are highly carcinogenic. Some beryllium compounds are toxic when they penetrate cuts in the skin (e.g., when an old fluorescent tube breaks). Beryllium oxide when inhaled can result in a fatal disease known as berylliosis (similar to, but more toxic than, sihcosis). 

Tepper LB, Hardy HL, Chamberlin RI Toxicity of Beryllium Compounds, pp 31-80. New York, Elsevier, 1961... 

Although the catalysts containing beryllium alkyl are more stereospeciflc than those with alkylaluminum (5, 6), nevertheless the greater part of our kinetic measurements were performed using alkylaluminum compounds, since they represent a special practical interest due to the higher availability, and lower toxicity compared with the corresponding beryllium compounds. 

Because of its toxicity, the number of well-characterized beryllium compounds of all types is much lower than that of the other alkaline earth metals. The largest number of the pubhshed berylhum structures involve oxygen donor ligands, " and beryllium amides have been reviewed, at least in part, under the aegis of wider-ranging surveys - of group 2... 

J.H.Buddery, "Beryllium",Academic Press,NY (i960) 10)L.B.Tepper, "Toxicity of Beryllium Compounds , Elsevier,NY(1961)... 

Beryllium Beryllium was first detected in 1798 in the gemstones beryl and emerald (BesA SigOis) and was subsequently prepared in pure form in 1828 by the reduction of BeCl2 with potassium. It is obtained today from large commercial deposits of beryl in Brazil and southern Africa. Though beryllium compounds are extremely toxic, particularly when inhaled as dust, the metal is nevertheless useful in forming alloys. Addition of a few percent beryllium to copper or nickel results in hard, corrosion-resistant alloys that are used in airplane engines and precision instruments. 

It is to be noted that beryllium compounds are exceedingly toxic, particularly if inhaled, and great care and precautions must be taken in handling them. Chelating hydroxy- and polyaminocarboxylic adds have been studied3 as sequestering agents for Be2+. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen. See also BERYLLIUM and BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of BeO. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic, neoplastigenic, and tumorigenic data. A deadly poison by intravenous route. Human systemic effects by inhalation lung fibrosis, dyspnea, and weight loss. Human mutation data reported. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS. A moderate fire hazard in the form of dust or powder, or when exposed to flame or by spontaneous chemical reaction. Slight explosion hazard in the form of powder or dust. Incompatible with halocarbons. Reacts incandescently with fluorine or chlorine. Mixtures of the powder with CCU or trichloroethylene will flash or spark on impact. When heated to decomposition in air it emits very toxic fumes of BeO. Reacts with Li and P. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen with experimental mmorigenic data. Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of BeO and Cl". See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS and CHLORIDES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen. A dangerous fire hazard. When heated to 220°C it liberates explosive hydrogen gas. Reacts violently with methanol, water, and dilute acids. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of BeO. See BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS and HYDRIDES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen. Ignites and then explodes in air or on contact with water. Upon decomposition it emits toxic fumes of BeO and BOx. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS and BORON COMPOUNDS. 

NIOSH REL CL (Ber) Uium) not to exceed 0.0005 mg(Be)/m3 SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen. Poison by intravenous route. When heated to decomposition it emits ver) toxic fumes of Be. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS. 

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