And the effects can emerge 10 to 40 years after exposure, with an average latency of about 12 years. Marrone is attempting to discover ways of testing for berylium sensitivity, as a way of screening workers to minimize their risk. One way would be to identify the genetic trigger that governs berylium sensitivity. We have a chance of preventing this from occurring in the workplace ever again. Flouride compounds form hydroflouric acid when they are inhaled and mix with hydrogen molecules in the lungs.
Hydroflouric acid is highly corrosive and can eat away at lung tissue.
About 40,000 other chemicals are used in weapons-making, a list far too long to summarize here. Although the effects vary, most of these would damage the liver and kidney. Heavy metals, used widely in bombmaking, also have a variety of different effects. Mercury damages neurons, bringing on premature dementia. Lead damages nerves and affects a person's ability to learn.