Beryllium

Unlike some of the other heavy metals that we have covered so far, beryllium is considered a light metal. Beryllium is a hard, grayish metal found in mineral rocks, coal soil, and volcanic ash. It is strong, light-weight, but brittle, alkaline earth metal often used as a hardening agent in alloys.

What are the common uses of Beryllium?
Beryllium is used in the aerospace industry in high speed jets, missiles, and space craft because of its lightweight yet strong properties. Beryllium is also used as an alloy to make Beryllium Copper, a strong conductor of electricity, for spot welding electrodes and electrical contact springs. Beryllium has also been used in X-ray machines to filter out visible light allowing only x-rays to pass through.

How is one exposed to Beryllium?
People come into contact with beryllium in a variety of way but the most common are through inhalation and skin exposure. Most people are never exposed to excessive amount of beryllium in the air but those who work in or live near factories where beryllium is used may develop problems from long term exposure. Chronic beryllium exposure can lead to respiratory problems that resemble pneumonia, or acute lung damage. About 1-15% of people develop a disease called CBD (Chronic Beryllium Disease). This disease develops after years of excessive exposure (greater that .5 micrograms per cubic meter) and can make one feel weak and tired. It also results in anorexia, weight loss, and may also lead to right side heart enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Beryllium inhalation has also been linked to increased risk of lung cancer.
Skin contact with beryllium where there is an open wound can lead to rashes, ulcers, or bumps under the skin called granulomas.

How can beryllium be detected in the body?
A simple blood test administered by a doctor or a urine test can show whether or not you have been exposed to beryllium, these tests, however, do not show levels of beryllium in the body. A lung tissue sample test is the only way to show the exact level of beryllium in the body.

Ridding the body of beryllium:
Usually when beryllium is ingested it goes straight through your system and is excreted through the urine because very little is actually absorbed in the stomach or small intestine. Beryllium that is inhaled though can take many month to be completely cleansed from the body and in cases of long term exposure, some effects may be permanent.

For more information on beryllium, check out these sites:
-Wikipedia
-Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry