Beryllium - hazardous air pollutant

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1971 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5365935

Knapp, C E

Beryllium was placed on the EPA list of hazardous pollutants because of its potential for creating serious disease. The principal route of entrance into the human body is by inhalation and absorption through the lungs. Skin may be damaged by beryllium salts producing dermatitis. Chronic beryllium disease has a long latent period. Beryllium respiratory effects are chronic or acute. Acute beryllium disease inflames the respiratory tract from nose to lungs causing bronchitis, tracheitis, and chemical pneumonitis. Chronic beryllium disease follows more prolonged exposure to lower beryllium concentrations, however, chronic beryllium disease has a latent period which may range from a few months to 30 years. Beryllium is commonly a by-product from mining other minerals, such as mica, feldspar; although more sources are sought as usage increases. No known cases of berylliosis have been produced by beryllium dust inhalation. Industrial uses with atmospheric emissions are sources. When effective control measures are applied to emission sources, apparently beryllium concentrations in the atmosphere are reduced below a harmful level. Manufacturing procedural changes are designed to reduce beryllium concentrations both in and out of the plant. Beryllium is a very hazardous material in very minute amounts, but berylliosis has never been a common disease.

• OSTI ID: 5365935
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 5:7; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AIR POLLUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BERYLLIOSIS
BERYLLIUM
BRONCHITIS
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INHALATION
INTAKE
METALS
PNEUMOCONIOSES
PNEUMONIA
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
POPULATIONS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES