What is Beryllium?

Beryllium (BE, atomic number 4) is a light, hard, silver-gray metal.  It has quite unique properties such as strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion.  The fact that it is a very light-weight metal is especially useful in space and military applications.  It also has the highest melting point of all the light metals.  These properties have contributed to the use of the metal and its oxide in a wide variety of technological applications.  It is a relatively rare element, both in the earth's crust and in the universe in general.  This is because it is not usually produced in the typical life cycle of stars where most elements heavier than Helium (the second lightest element) are produced, even though it is has a small atomic number.  Usually the heavier elements are rare, not the light elements like Beryllium.  Beryllium does not seem to be needed in trace amounts for plant or animal life the way some trace metals are like Manganese for instance.

Recent estimates indicate that as many as 135,000 current workers in private industry and government may be exposed to beryllium in the United States.  Some workers exposed to beryllium dusts and/or fumes may develop an immune response known as sensitization that can be detected in the blood with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). Sensitized workers may have or may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a slowly progressive respiratory disease characterized by the formation of lung lesions called granulomas.  These granulomas and accompanying fibrosis cause impairment of the lung’s ability to expand fully and to oxygenate the blood.  The rate of progression from less severe to severe disease can vary widely.  There is no cure for CBD, although symptoms can be treated.

Legal Assistance

We are happy to provide you with a free and confidential legal consultation.  Paul and Hanley LLP is a California-based firm that is nationally recognized for its outstanding work and our attorneys are known for their honesty, integrity, and compassion.  Our lawyers handle cases in courts throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and across the United States.  Please contact us toll-free at (800) 933-2244 if you believe someone in your family is suffering from beryllium poisoning or if you would like to learn more about beryllium poisoning and exposure.