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Beryllium compounds (as Be)																									Related Pages
												**The content of this page is from the NIOSH Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs) (1994)pdf icon. The IDLH value for beryllium has not changed, but other information on this page has been changed, including updated exposure limits, updated respirator recommendations, and a new NIOSH Carcinogen Policy.  For the most up to date information on Beryllium see the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.**May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
**CAS number** 7440-41-7 (Metal)
**NIOSH REL** Not to exceed 0.0005 mg/m3; NIOSH considers beryllium compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].
**Current OSHA PEL** 0.002 mg/m3 TWA, 0.005 mg/m3 CEILING, 0.025 mg/m3 30-minute MAXIMUM PEAK
**1989 OSHA PEL** Same as current PEL
**1993-1994 ACGIH TLV** 0.002 mg/m3 TWA, A2
**Description of Substance** Varies
**Original (SCP) IDLH*** 10 mg Be/m3 [*Note: “Effective” IDLH = 4 mg Be/m3 — see discussion below.]
**Basis for original (SCP) IDLH** This IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that 10 mg/m3 of beryllium fluoride was lethal to several species in 15 days. However, respirators have been assigned on the basis of the assigned protection factor afforded by each device up to 2,000 x the OSHA PEL of 0.002 mg/m3 (i.e., 4 mg/m3); only the “most protective” respirators are permitted for use in concentrations exceeding 4 mg Be/m3.
**Short-term exposure guidelines** None developed
**ACUTE TOXICITY DATA**
**Lethal dose data:**
Species
Reference
Route
LD50(mg/kg)
LDLo(mg/kg)
Adjusted LD
Derived ValueBeF2:Rat
Blair 1951
oral
90
—–
158 mg Be/m3
16 mg Be/m3Mouse
Tabershaw 1972
oral
100
—–
161 mg Be/m3
16 mg Be/m3BeSo4:Rat
Sazhina 1965
oral
82
—–
49 mg Be/m3
4.9 mg Be/m3Mouse
Sazhina 1965
oral
80
—–
48 mg Be/m3
4.8 mg Be/m3**Other animal data:** It has been reported that 10 mg/m3 of beryllium fluoride (i.e., 2.3 mg Be/m3) was lethal to several species in 15 days [Patty 1963].
**Human data:** None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
**Revised IDLH:** 4 mg Be/m3**Basis for revised IDLH:** Based on acute toxicity data in animals [Patty 1963; Sazhina 1965], a value of about 5 mg Be/m3 would have been appropriate. However, the revised IDLH for beryllium compounds is 4 mg Be/m3 based on being 2,000 times the OSHA PEL of 0.002 mg Be/m3 (2,000 is an assigned protection factor for respirators; only the “most reliable” respirators are recommended for exposures greater than 2,000 times the OSHA PEL). [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the “most protective” respirators be worn for beryllium compounds at concentrations above 0.0005 mg Be/m3.]**REFERENCES:**
Blair HA [1951]. Quarterly technical report (January 1, 1951 through March 31, 1951). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester, Research and Development Report UR-154, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract W-7401-eng-49.
Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1006.
Sazhina LA [1965]. Experimental data to substantiate the maximum permissible concentration of beryllium in the water of reservoirs. Gig Sanit *30*(1-3):169-176 (translated).
Tabershaw IR, ed. [1972]. The toxicology of beryllium. U.S. Public Health Service Publication *2173*:23.

			
							
								Page last reviewed:  May 10, 2019						Content source:  	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Publications & Products
Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health (IDLH) Values
Table of IDLH Values
Criteria for Determining IDLH Values
Historical Documentation
Original (SCP) Values
Abbreviations for IDLH Documentation
Abbreviations for Journal Titles Follow NIOSH Facebook
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