Urinary beryllium (Be) provides an estimate of a recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. After assimilation Be is slowly excreted in urine and may be found elevated many months after high level exposure.
Be is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but is readily absorbed across the lungs and skin. Inhalation is the primary route of significant exposure to Be, and may be associated with dyspnea, cough and pulmonary distress (berylliosis). Berylliosis, is an occupationally acquired lung disease that is associated with primary production, metal machining, and reclaiming scrap alloys. Other high-exposure occupations are in the nuclear power, aerospace, and electronics industries.
Tobacco contains Be, and smoking immediately increases Be levels in blood and urine. Be is a metal that is widely used in the manufacturing of cars, computers, golf clubs, and electrical equipment. Other possible sources of Be include electronic components (computers), metal alloys used in aircraft and aerospace applications (especially aluminum-copper-beryllium alloys), welding bearing sleeves, industrial ceramics, optical lens coatings, and some phosphors in fluorescent lights.
Be is a biological antagonist of magnesium. Be has a long-term effect of inducing abnormal activity in T lymphocytes, causing immune dysregulation and hypersensitivity reactions. Beryllium has been detected in hair but documentation correlating exposure, tissue levels and hair levels is lacking.
Beryllium
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