Poisoning beryllium

Airborne poisons in the nuclear weapons progam were not limited to radioactive materials released from weapons. The weapons technology involved the use of many exotic materials, some of which were toxic (e.g., beryllium). Hazardous releases of these materials occurred in industrial settings in urban areas and were studied by the Atomic Energy Commission as occupational and public health problems. 

The interaction of ligands derived from salicylic acid and its derivatives has been extensively investigated (83, 147, 149, 160, 170, 176, 183-205). A similar situation obtains with regard to l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (185, 194, 196, 198, 206-215). Salicylic acid derivatives may be useful in chelation therapy for beryllium poisoning (2). 

Aurin tricarboxylate (also known as aluminon) forms fairly stable complexes with beryllium Log Kx values of 5.38 (160) and 4.54 (161) have been reported. In the 1950s this ligand was examined as a possible antidote to beryllium poisoning in rats, but although it reduced the toxicity, serious side effects were noted for further details see the review by Wong and Woollins (20). 

Complexes of beryllium with 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) and its more soluble sulfonate derivatives (188, 198, 251-256) have been investigated with particular reference to their possible use as antidotes for beryllium poisoning. 

The interaction of beryllium with ligands derived from pyrone (272), pyridone (273), and pyrimidinedione (274, 275) have long aroused interest in view of the successful use of these ligands in the treatment of metal poisoning. 

To investigate complexes of the Lewis acid BeO may seem strange from the experimental point of view. BeO is a polymeric solid with a high melting point and it is very difficult to obtain monomeric BeO. Moreover, beryllium is very poisonous and its compounds are difficult... 

Mercury, lead, and cadmium can attack the central nervous system carbon tetrachloride and chlorinated phenols can destroy the liver ethylene glycol and cadmium sulfate produce kidney disease asbestos and beryllium lead to lung disorders and lead poisoning can cause mental retardation. 

Elemental Be and its compounds are very poisonous by inhalation or intravenous route. Chronic inhalation of beryUium dusts or fumes can cause a serious lung disease, beryUiosis, after a latent period ranging from several months to many years. Inhalation of airborne dusts can also cause an acute disease manifested as dyspnea, pneumonitis and tracheobronchitis with a short latency period of a few days. Skin contact with soluble salts of the metal can cause dermatitis. Beryllium also is a carcinogen. There is sufficient evidence of its inducing cancer in animals and humans. 

Alfred E. Stock. Former director of the Chemical Institute of the Tech-nische Hochschule of Karlsruhe. Former student of Henri Moissan and author of an excellent biographical sketch of him. Visiting lecturer at Cornell University in 1932. He is an authority on the high-vacuum method for studying volatile substances, the chemistry of boron, the preparation and properties of beryllium, and chronic mercurial poisoning. 

Beryllium (Glucinum) Fluoride, BeF2, mw 47 01, colorless, poisonous pdr, sp gr 2.0l at 15°, mp 800° bp — sublimes v sol in w sol in ale, acids and alkalies. Can be prepd by thermal decomph (at 900—950°) of ammonium beryllium fluoride. Used in production of beryllium metal by reduction with Mg metal Refs 1) Gmelin-Kraut System Number 26(1930), 105 2) Hackh sDict (1944), 123-R 3) Cond-... 

Beryllium-Sodium Fluoride (Sodium Beryllium Fluoride), BeF2.2NaF mw 131.00 wh or grayish poisonous cryst pdr mp about 350°, bp — decompd si sol in w insol in ale. Can be prepd by heating an aqueous soln of NaF2 beryllium fiuoride(Ref 1). Used for prepn of pure Be metal... 

Occupational and environmental poisoning with metals, metalloids, and metal compounds is a major health problem. Exposure in the workplace is found in many industries, and exposure in the home and elsewhere in the nonoccupational environment is widespread. The classic metal poisons (arsenic, lead, and mercury) continue to be widely used. (Treatment of their toxicities is discussed in Chapter 57.) Occupational exposure and poisoning due to beryllium, cadmium, manganese, and uranium are relatively new occupational problems, which present new and previously unaddressed problems. 

Beryllium compounds are poisonous. Wash your hands ajter working with them. Hand in all residues o/ beryllium compounds to the laboratory assistant ... 

Beryllium None known. Very toxic. Pollution occurs from industrial smokes. There are some fears concerning poisoning from camping lantern mantles. 

The development of chelating agents for use in metal ion removal is still in its infancy and suitable antidotes are not yet available for treating poisoning by beryllium, cadmium, manganese, thallium and many other toxic metal ions. Radiostrontium and radium pose particular problems because of their chemical similarities to calcium. 

Beryllium (Be) is in group 2A and is the first metal in the periodic table to be notably toxic. When fluorescent lamps and neon lights were first introduced, they contained beryllium phosphor a number of cases of beryllium poisoning resulted from the manufacture of these light sources and the handling of broken lamps. Modem uses of beryllium in ceramics, electronics, and alloys require special handling procedures to avoid industrial exposure. 

What are the major toxic effects of beryllium What may be said about the latent period for beryllium poisoning ... 

VH.16 BERYLLIUM, Be (At 9 01) Beryllium is a greyish-white, light but very hard, brittle metal. It dissolves readily in dilute acids. In its compounds beryllium is divalent, otherwise it resembles closely aluminium in chemical properties it also exhibits resemblances to the alkaline earth metals. The salts react acid in aqueous solution, and possess a sweet taste (hence the name glucinum formerly given to the element). Beryllium compounds are highly poisonous. 

Beryllium-Potassium Fluoride (Potassium-Beryllium Fluoride), BeF2.2KF mw 163.21, colorless, poisonous crysts, sp gr , mp... 

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. Poison by intraperitoneal route. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of BeO. 

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 with experimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. Poison by intravenous route. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS and PHOSPHATES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed human carcinogen. A poison. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame can react with oxidizing materials. Explosive reaction on contact with water. Ignites on contact with moist air or carbon dioxide. Upon decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of BeO. See also BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS. 

Compounds of beryllium are very poisonous. Even the dust of the powdered metal or its oxides may cause very serious illness. 

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