What is the danger of exposure to beryllium?

* Exposure to Beryllium dust can cause permanent scars to develop in the lungs. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, and poor appetite. These effects may occur months or years after exposure. In severe cases disability and heart failure occur.

What food is beryllium in?

Beryllium, as a chemical component, is found naturally in some food. The concentration of beryllium in both raw carrots and field corn grown in the United States is less than 25 micrograms (µg) (1 µg=1 millionth of a gram) in a kilogram (kg) of the fresh vegetables.

How do you get beryllium poisoning?

Berylliosis is a form of metal poisoning caused by inhalation of beryllium dusts, vapors, or its compounds or implantation of the substance in the skin. The toxic effects of beryllium most commonly occur due to occupational exposure.

What are 3 uses of beryllium?

Beryllium is alloyed with copper or nickel to make springs, gyroscopes, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes and non-sparking tools, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. Other beryllium alloys are used in high-speed aircrafts and missiles, as well as spacecraft and communication satellites.

Which organ does chronic beryllium disease primarily affect?

Chronic beryllium disease primarily affects the lungs. But it may also affect other organs because the blood transports beryllium throughout the body.

What are the health hazards of beryllium?

Breathing in fumes or dusts of beryllium compounds may injure the lungs. While most commonly associated with diseases of the lungs, beryllium may also affect such organs as the liver, kidneys, heart, nervous system, and the lymphatic system.

What are the environmental effects of beryllium?

Environmental effects of beryllium. Industrial emissions will add beryllium to air and wastewater disposals will add beryllium to water. It usually settles in sediment. Beryllium as a chemical element occurs naturally in soils in small amounts, but human activities have also increased these beryllium levels.

Are You toxic from beryllium?

Beryllium is however a human toxin & it’s a serious pollution problem for everyone. Beryllium toxicity is the accumulation of the toxic metal in your body which happens over time.

What are the symptoms of chronic beryllium disease?

Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath