3 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than waterwill sink3.01 g/cu cm3.0 g/cm³3.01 @25 °C
Color/Form
White hexagonal crystalsLight, amorphous powderWhite, amorphous powder or white hexagonal crystals
Löslichkeit
Insoluble in waterslightly soluble in acid and alkali solutions2 ug/100 mL in water at 30 °Csoluble in concentrated sulfuric acid, fused potassium hydroxideSlowly soluble in concentrated acids or fixed alkali hydroxidesSolubility in water: insoluble
Siedepunkt
3787 °C
Schmelzpunkt
2578 °C2530 °C
Brechungsindex
Index of refraction: 1.719, 1.733
Physical Description
Beryllium oxide is an odorless white solid. Sinks in water. (USCG, 1999)Dry PowderInsoluble in water[Hawley] White odorless powder[MSDSonline] Very sparingly soluble in water[ACGIH]WHITE CRYSTALS OR POWDER.
Stability/Shelf Life
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Other Experimental Properties
After ignition it is almost insoluble in water, concentrated acids or solutions of fixed alkali hydroxidesMohs hardness: 9Extremely stable ... its stability depends on its structure and is determined by the content of bound water. The higher the calcination temperature, the more inert the beryllium oxide.Pure (100%) beryllium oxide insulates electrically like a ceramic, but conducts heat like a metal.For more Other Experimental Properties (Complete) data for BERYLLIUM OXIDE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Flammpunkt
None
Sicherheit & Vorschriften
GHS-Einstufung
DangerH301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]P203, P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P272, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P316, P318, P319, P320, P321, P330, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)H301 (98%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]
Regulatorische Informationen
Chemical: Beryllium oxide (BeO)Hazard Traits - CarcinogenicityBeryllium oxide (BeO) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Beryllium oxide (BeO) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)REACH registered substance: Beryllium oxide (EC: 215-133-1)Beryllium oxide: HSNO Approval: HSR004367 Approved with controlsThe New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)
Weitere Sicherheitsinformationen
IMAP assessments - Beryllium metal and Beryllium oxide: Human health tier II assessment
DOT-Kennzeichnung
Poison
Brandgefahren
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic beryllium oxide fume may form in fire. (USCG, 1999)Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.
Brandpotenzial
NOT FLAMMABLE
Gesundheitsgefahren
Any dramatic, unexplained weight loss should be considered as possible first indication of beryllium disease. Other symptoms include anorexia, fatigue, weakness, malaise. Inhalation causes pneumonitis, nasopharyngitis, tracheobronchitis, dyspnea, chronic cough. Contact with dust causes conjunctival inflammation of eyes and irritation of skin. (USCG, 1999)
Gefahrenübersicht
May cause burns to skin and eyes[HSDB] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritantMay cause beryllium sensitization after prolonged contact
Dust or fume inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis
Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause chronic beryllium disease
[ICSC] See Beryllium for one additional linked occupational disease.
The major hazards encountered in the use and handling of beryllium oxide stem from its toxicologic properties. Toxic primarily by inhalation and dermal contact, exposure to this odorless, white, crystalline substance may occur from the processing (machining, molding, grinding, cutting, and fabrication) of beryllium oxide-containing glass and ceramics used in the manufacture of electronic equipment, aerospace equipment, and non-ferrous foundry products. Effects from exposure may include contact burns to the skin and eyes, skin ulceration, headache, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, and possibly death from heart failure. The OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV are set at a TWA of 2 ug/cu m. Engineering control of process equipment (eg, enclosure and local exhaust ventilation) should be used to prevent inhalation and skin contact with beryllium oxide. In activities where over-exposure is possible, workers should wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. Protective clothing should also be worn, including protective suits, (preferably disposable, one-piece, and close-fitting at the ankles and wrists), goggles, gloves, hair covering, and overshoes. Work clothes should not be taken home for laundering. Beryllium oxide is not flammable. Shipping regulations and other DOT regulatory requirements should be consulted before transport. In cleaning spills of beryllium oxide, use a wet mop, or vacuum cleaner equipped with a high efficiency particulate filter. Do not dry sweep, dry mop, or use any such method that could disperse the dust. Before implementing land disposal of beryllium oxide waste, consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance.
Reaktive Gruppe
Bases, Strong
EG-Einstufung
Symbol: T+R: 49-25-26-36/37/38-43-48/23S: 53-45Note: E
UN-Einstufung
UN Hazard Class: 6.1UN Pack Group: II
Reactivity Alerts
Water-Reactive
OSHA Standards
Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-2 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 2 ug/cu m. /Beryllium and beryllium compounds/Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-2 Acceptable Ceiling Concentration: 5 ug/cu m. /Beryllium and beryllium compounds/Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-2 Acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift. Concentration: 25 ug/cu m. Maximum Duration: 30 minutes. /Beryllium and beryllium compounds/
Brandbekämpfung
Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:Use fine water spray. In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.
Erste-Hilfe-Maßnahmen
Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer for medical attention.Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Wear protective gloves when administering first aid.First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .
Erste Hilfe
INHALATION: take chest x-ray immediately to check for pneumonitis.
Sichere Lagerung
Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Store only in original container. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Brandbekämpfungsverfahren
If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. /Beryllium compound, NOS/Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material. /Beryllium compound, NOS/Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.Advice for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.
Lagerbedingungen
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place.
Reinigungsverfahren
Control of environmental exposure: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains.Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air qualitypotential migration in soil or watereffects on animal and plant lifeand conformance with environmental and public health regulations.Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.
Verschüttetes entsorgen
Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into sealable containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
Preventive Measures
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.If material not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. /Beryllium compound, NOS/For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for BERYLLIUM OXIDE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Chronic beryllium disease is treated with immunosuppressive medicines, usually of the glucocorticoid class. (L24)
Wechselwirkungen
Guinea pigs sensitized by 12 biweekly intradermal injections of 10 ug beryllium sulfate reacted with delayed hypersensitivity to max subtoxic skin test doses of 5 ug beryllium oxide, with persistent granulomata and sensitivity proportional to solubility of salt.
Gesundheitliche Auswirkungen
Acute inhalation of a high level of beryllium can result in a pneumonia-like condition called acute beryllium disease. Chronic inhalation of beryllium can cause an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory system called chronic beryllium disease. Chronic beryllium disease may result in anorexia and weight loss, as well as right side heart enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Chronic exposure can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Skin contact with beryllium results in contact dermatitus. (L24, L25)
Ökotoxizitätswerte
LC50Species: Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow)Conditions: staticConcentration: 150 ug/L for 96 hr, soft water20,000 ug/L for 96 hr, hard water /Beryllium ion/Species: Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill)Concentration: 1,300 ug/L for 96 hr, softwater12,000 ug/L for 96 hr, hardwater /Beryllium ion/EC50Species: Cladoceran (daphnia magna)Concentration: 2,500 ug/L for 48 hrEffect: reproduction /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/ /Beryllium ion/Species: Carassius auratus (goldfish)Conditions: flow through, measuredConcentration: 4,800 ug/Be/L, time not specified /Beryllium ion/For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for BERYLLIUM OXIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Umweltverhalten
AQUATIC FATE: In aqueous solution, beryllium exhibits only the +2 oxidation state(1). Soluble beryllium salts are hydrolyzed to form insoluble beryllium hydroxides(2). Under typical environmental conditions, the hydroxo-complex BeOH+ and Be2+, are expected to be the dominant dissolved species(1). Be(OH)2 is expected to precipitate from water given its low solubility at the pH range of most natural systems(1).
Unerwünschte Wirkungen
Fibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring).
Expositionspfade
The substance can be absorbed into the body in hazardous amounts by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.Inhalation (L24)
Toxizitätsübersicht
Once in the body, beryllium acts as a hapten and interacts with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DP presenting cells in the lungs, becoming physically associated with a major histocompatability (MHC) class II molecule. This MHC class II-beryllium-peptide complex is recognized by the T lymphocyte receptor, triggering CD4+ T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. The resulting inflammatory response is a cell-mediated process orchestrated by cytokines and results in the formation of (usually pulmonary) granulomas. Beryllium's toxicity may be controlled by the iron-storage protein ferritin, which sequesters beryllium by binding it and preventing it from interacting with other enzymes. (L25, A37, A91)
Signs and Symptoms
Cough. Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. Symptoms may be delayed.MAY BE ABSORBED!Redness. Pain.Chronic beryllium disease causes fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, and a persistent dry cough. (L24, L25)
ICSC Environmental Data
The substance may cause long-term effects in the aquatic environment.
/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ... Acute illness ... in beryllium industry ... reported ... /during/ ... processing of beryl ore for prodn of beryllium oxide. Thirty-eight cases with five deaths ... reported. Symptoms include cough, dyspnea, substernal pain, anorexia, increasing fatigue, & weight loss./SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ A chronic pulmonary condition known as 'berylliosis' ... is frequently fatal ... pulmonary x-rays demonstrated a miliary mottling, & interstitial granulomatosis was diagnosed ... caused by beryllium cmpd of low solubility, particularly the low fired oxide. No established dose response relationship .../CASE REPORTS/ Two cases of human carcinomas by beryllium aerosols were reported. In one case, an adult male had contact with the dust, vapors, and gases of beryllium oxide and beryllium chloride for about 3 years. 3 years after employment ceased, the worker had shadows in both pulmonary x-ray midfields. /14 years later/ autopsy confirmed the presence of carcinoma in the right pulmonary upper lobe, with metastases .../CASE REPORTS/ ... Persons who had ... constant exposure to beryllium oxide for 5 years showed appreciable excretion after 6 years' removal from contact ... no evidence of pulmonary involvement.For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BERYLLIUM OXIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Luftstandards
Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Beryllium compounds are included on this list. /Beryllium Compounds/
Clean Water Act Anforderungen
Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is subject to effluent limitations. /Beryllium and compounds/
Federal Drinking Water Standards
Maximum contaminant level for inorganic contaminants: Contaminant: BerylliumMCL 0.004 mg/L. /Beryllium/
Bundesrichtlinien für Trinkwasser
Maximum contaminant level goal for inorganic contaminants: Contaminant: BerylliumMCLG 0.004 mg/L. /Beryllium/
