Toxic agents beryllium

Mederos, A. et al. Recent aspects of the coordination chemistry of the very toxic cation beryllium(II) The search for sequestering agents 22... 

Some toxicants like beryllium, chromium, nickel, formaldehyde, different pesticides, resins and plasticizers are known as the chemical species, which cause allergy or hypersensitivity of the immune system. This kind of response results when the immune system overreacts to presence of a foreign agent or its metabolites in a self-destructive manner. 

Tepper LB, Hardy HL, Chamberlin RI. Elsevier monographs on toxic agents. In Browning E, ed. Toxicity of Beryllium Compounds. Amsterdam Elsevier Science, 1961 1-190. 

Fire Hazards - Flash Point Not pertinent. This is a combustible solid Flammable Limits in Air (%) Not pertinent Fire Extinguishing Agents Graphite, sand, or any other inert dry powder Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used Water Special Hazards of Combustion Products Combustion results in beryllium oxide fumes whieh are toxic to inhalation Behavior in Fire Powder may form explosive mixture in air Ignition Temperature (deg. F) Not pertinent Electrical Hazard Not pertinent Burning Rate Not pertinent. 

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. 

Sharma, P., Johri, S., and Shukla, S., Beryllium-induced toxicity and its prevention by treatment with chelating agents, J. Appl. Toxicol., 20, 313-318, 2000. 

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+. 

Treatment of the acute disease includes bed rest, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation when needed, and corticosteroids. Chelation has been used to treat beryllium toxicity however, no one agent is recommended over another. Aurin tricarboxylic acid has been used to protect primates from beryllium overdose, but human trials have not been conducted. 

Beryllium (atomic mass 9.01) is not truly a heavy metal, but this is one of the more hazardous toxic elements. Its most serious toxic effect is berylliosis, a condition manifested by lung fibrosis and pneumonitis, which may develop after a latency period of 5-20 years. Beryllium exposure also causes skin granulomas and ulcerated skin and is a hypersensitizing agent. 

Beryllium is one of the most toxic elements in the Periodic Table. It is the agent responsible for chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an often-fatal lung disease, and is a Class A carcinogen (as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The primary route of human exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds is inhalation. 

Beryllium bo- ri-le-om [NL, from Gk beryl-lion] (ca. 1847) n. A steel-gray light strong brittle toxic bivalent metallic element used chiefly ads a hardening agent in alloys. 

Respiratory conditions are illnesses associated with breathing hazardous biological agents, chemicals, dust, gases, vapors, or fumes at work. Examples are silicosis, asbestosis, pneumonitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis or acute congestion farmer s lung, beryllium disease, tuberculosis, occupational asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis, toxic inhalation injury, such as metal fume fever, chronic obstructive bronchitis, and other pneumoconioses. 

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