Health monitoring for beryllium

This guide helps doctors monitor the health of workers exposed to beryllium.  

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 is a free metal or in an ionic state. 

Beryllium metal is used in: 

• in structural material in space technology 

• as an additive to rocket fuels 

• as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors 

• in navigational systems 

• in manufacturing. 

Beryllium hydroxide is used as feedstock for production of: 

• beryllium oxides  

• metal and copper beryllium master alloy. 

Beryllium oxide is used to manufacture: 

• 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 is part of a health monitoring guide collection. 

There are health monitoring guides for: 

• persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) 

• workers 

• registered medical practitioners 

• hazardous chemicals