Beryllium health monitoring

Overview

Beryllium (CAS 7440-41-7) is a grey metal that is found in nature as a mineral with silica or with aluminium and silica. Beryllium exists as a free metal or in an ionic state (Be[II]).

Beryllium metal is used:

in structural material in space technology
as an additive of rocket fuels
as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors
in navigational systems
in manufacturing

Beryllium hydroxide is the feedstock for production of beryllium oxides, metal and copper beryllium master alloy.

Beryllium oxide is used in the manufacturing of:

specialty electrical and high-technology ceramics, for example resistor cores
special glass
electronic heat sinks
electron and laser tubes
electrical insulators
electronic components, for example circuit chip carriers
nuclear moderators and fuels
military vehicle armour
rocket nozzles
laser components

This guide provides information for those registered medical practitioners engaged by a PCBU to carry out or supervise health monitoring for workers. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the following: