Q: Can beryllium cause cancer?
A: Long term exposure to beryllium can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have determined that beryllium is a human carcinogen (cancer-causing). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that beryllium is a probable human carcinogen.

Q: What can happen if beryllium comes into contact with my skin?
A: Beryllium contact with skin that has been scraped or cut may cause rashes or ulcers.

Q: Is swallowing beryllium dangerous?
A: Swallowing beryllium has not been reported to cause any health effects in humans because very little beryllium is absorbed through the stomach and intestines.

Q: How can I protect my family against beryllium exposure?
A: Most families are not exposed to high levels of beryllium. However, children should avoid playing in soils near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites where beryllium may have been discarded.

Q: Are children at a greater risk for developing health problems than adults who are exposed to beryllium?
A: There are no studies on the health effects of children exposed to beryllium. It is expected that the health effects in children are similar to those seen in adults, but it is unclear whether children are affected differently than adults in their susceptibility to beryllium. Also, it is unknown whether beryllium exposure results in birth defects or other developmental effects. The studies conducted in animals have not been conclusive.

Q: Are there any medical tests for determining if I have been exposed to beryllium?
A: Beryllium can be measured in the urine and blood. However, the amount of beryllium in the blood or urine may not accurately reflect how much or how recently you were exposed. Beryllium levels can also be measured in lung and skin samples. Another blood test, the blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), identifies beryllium sensitization and has predictive value for CBD.