# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Beryllium & beryllium compounds (as Be) | CAS 7440-41-7 (metal)
Be (metal) | RTECS DS1750000 (metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names Beryllium metal: Beryllium Other synonyms vary depending upon the specific beryllium compound. | DOT ID & Guide 1566 154 (compounds) 1567 134 (powder)
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: Ca Not to exceed 0.0005 mg/m3 See Appendix A
OSHA PEL: TWA 0.002 mg/m3 C 0.005 mg/m3 0.025 mg/m3 [30-minute maximum peak]
IDLH Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)] | Conversion
Physical Description Metal: A hard, brittle, gray-white solid.
MW: 9.0 | BP: 4532°F | MLT: 2349°F | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 1.85 (metal)
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
Metal: Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but a slight explosion hazard in the form of a powder or dust.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Acids, caustics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, oxidizers, molten lithium
Measurement Methods NIOSH 7102, 7300; OSHA ID125G, ID206
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: Daily Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily Provide: Eyewash | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Breathing: Fresh air
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Berylliosis (chronic exposure): anorexia, weight loss, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), chest pain, cough, clubbing of fingers, cyanosis, pulmonary insufficiency; irritation eyes; dermatitis; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system Cancer Site [lung cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION