Beryllium
Physico-chemical properties
DACTARI
Element
Symbol
Atomic number
Atomic weight
Chemical series
Discovered
Origin of the name
Electron configuration
Density
Melting point
Boiling point
Pearson classification (acid and base)
Electronegativity (Pauling scale)
Ionic Radius (Marcus)
Coordination number
Oxidation states (main in bold)
Redox potential
Main mineral compounds (solids)
Main Industrial compounds (solids)
Main industrial compounds (solution)
Biological role
Main isotopes
Beryllium
Be
4
9
Alkaline earth metal
L. Vauquelin, 1798
From greek beryllos for the precious blue-green color
of sea water. Previously named Glucinium
1s2 2s2
1.85 g/cm3
1287°C
2471°C
Hard
1.57
0.45 Å
4-6
II (Be2+)
-1.85 V (Be2+/Be)
Bertrandite (Be4Si2O7(OH)2), Beryl (Al2Be3Si6O18),
Chrysoberyl (Al2BeO4), and Phenakite (Be2SiO4).
Precious forms of beryl are Aquamarine and Emerald.
BeF2, BeO, BeCl2, Be(OH)2, Be(CH3CO2)2…
BeF2, BeCl2 …
Not present
7Be (T1/2 = 53.3 d, EC,) (1g = 1.29 1016 Bq)
10Be (T1/2 = 1.51 106 y, β) (1g = 8.77 108 Bq)
Beryllium
Acute toxicity
DACTARI
Element
Symbol
Beryllium (all compounds)
Beryllium fluoride : BeF2
Beryllium sulfate : BeSO4
Beryllium chloride : BeCl2
Beryllium
Be
LD 50 (mg/kg) (rat/oral)
Classification LD50*
18 - 200
2-3
18.8
2
120
3
200
3
References
Fractional absorption : fA (ICRP 100)
Materno-fœtal transfer (ICRP 88)
ATSDR, INRS (FT92), EPA,OEHHA, HSDB
5x10-3
-
*Classification of Acute Toxicity on the Basis of the LD 50.
Exposure Route
Oral (mg/kg
bodyweight)
Dermal (mg/kg
bodyweight)
Gases (ppmV)
Vapours (mg/l)
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
ATE < 5
5 < ATE < 50
50 < ATE < 300
300 < ATE < 2000
ATE ≤ 50
50 < ATE < 200
200 < ATE < 1000
1000 < ATE < 2000
ATE < 100
100 < ATE < 500
500 < ATE < 2500
2500 < ATE < 20000
ATE < 0.5
0.5 < ATE < 2.0
2.0 < ATE < 10.0
10.0 < ATE < 20.0
*Acute toxicity hazard categories and acute toxicity estimates (ATE)
* Classification du GHS (United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals) des DL50 devant rentrer en vigueur en Europe en 2008. Proposal for a regulation of the
European parliament and of the council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and
mixtures, and amending Directive 67/548/EEC and Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, 27.6.2007 - COM(2007) 355 final , 2007/0121
(COD).Volume II (Annex I),
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_legislation_en.htm (volume 2, annexe 1 )
Beryllium
Chronic toxicity
DACTARI
Element
Symbol
Isotopes
10Be
Beryllium
Be
Chemical compound
7Be
WHO
RN water guide value (Bq/L)
10000
Unlikely to occur in drinking water
chemical water guide value (mg/L)
CMR classification
IARC (1 to 4)
C:1
CEE
C:2
EPA
B:1
Non carcinogen
Critical effect
Target organs : bone
RfD (reference dose) mg/kg/d
2 10-3 (EPA)
NOAEL mg/kg/d (rat)
BeSO4 : 0.7 - 30
Risk phrases
R 49-26-25-48
Risk group (Delacroix)
4
Specific activities : 7Be (1g = 1.29 1016 Bq) ; 10Be (T1/2 = 1.51 106 y, β) (1g = 8.77 108 Bq)
IARC carcinogenicity to humans:
C:1
C : 2A
C : 2B
C:3
C:4
Carcinogenic to humans
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity for humans
Probably not carcinogenic for humans
Radiotoxic groups (Delacroix et al., 2002) :
G 1 : Exemption < 104 Bq
G 2 : Exemption < 105 Bq
G 3 : Exemption = 106 Bq
G 4 : Exemption = 107 Bq
G 5 : Exemption > 108 Bq