The element beryllium can be found in the mineral beryl [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] and has minor but important technical applications.
Beryllium
and chronic beryllium disease
The element beryllium can be found in the mineral beryl [Be3Al2(SiO3)6]
and has minor but important technical applications. Owing to its unique
properties, it is used in industrial lightweight systems, for example, turbine
rotor blades, automotive parts and electrical contacts. The pure beryllium
metal is also used in the nuclear industry.
Beryllium has an exceptionally small atomic radius, and as a
result beryllium fluoride, chloride and oxide show evidence of covalent bonds
in contrast to the other group 2 oxides or halides. Beryllium halides should be
linear if they exhibit the ionic bonding character. This linear form can only
be found in the gas phase. In the solid state, the beryllium centre is three or
fourfold coordinated, which can be achieved, for example, by polymerisation.
Beryllium and its compounds are extremely poisonous and
therefore there is only a very limited potential for their clinical
applications. Indeed, even the inhalation of beryllium or its compounds can
lead to serious respiratory diseases such as the chronic beryllium disease, and soluble beryllium compounds can
cause serious skin irritations. Workers within the metal production industry
are most likely exposed to beryllium and run the highest risk of developing
CBD. But also people working in connected professions such as administrative
staff or families are at high risk of beryllium poisoning. Symptoms are not well
reported, may occur many years after the exposure and include cough, fatigue
and chest pain, whereas nonrespiratory organs can also be affected. However,
the introduction of exposure limits and general awareness of the risk have
significantly reduced the risk of beryllium exposure and its consequences .
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