Release of beryllium from mineral ores in artificial lung and skin surface fluids

Abstract

Exposure to some manufactured beryllium compounds via skin contact or inhalation can cause sensitization. A portion of sensitized persons who inhale beryllium may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Little is understood about exposures to naturally occurring beryllium minerals. The purpose of this study was to assess the bioaccessibility of beryllium from bertrandite ore. Dissolution of bertrandite from two mine pits (Monitor and Blue Chalk) was evaluated for both the dermal and inhalation exposure pathways by determining bioaccessibility in artificial sweat (pH 5.3 and pH 6.5), airway lining fluid (SUF, pH 7.3), and alveolar macrophage phagolysosomal fluid (PSF, pH 4.5). Significantly more beryllium was released from Monitor pit ore than Blue Chalk pit ore in artificial sweat buffered to pH 5.3 (0.88 ± 0.01% vs. 0.36 ± 0.00%) and pH 6.5 (0.09 ± 0.00% vs. 0.03 ± 0.01%). Rates of beryllium released from the ores in artificial sweat were faster than previously measured for manufactured forms of beryllium (e.g., beryllium oxide), known to induce sensitization in mice. In SUF, levels of beryllium were below the analytical limit of detection. In PSF, beryllium dissolution was biphasic (initial rapid diffusion followed by latter slower surface reactions). During the latter phase, dissolution half-times were 1,400 to 2,000 days, and rate constants were ~7 × 10(-10) g/(cm(2)·day), indicating that bertrandite is persistent in the lung. These data indicate that it is prudent to control skin and inhalation exposures to bertrandite dusts.

Dissolution rates of five inorganic mine ore inorganic elements in synthetic lung fluid

“…This investigation also reported that beryllium hydroxide was more soluble than BeO at both SLF pH levels. [4][5][6][7] for Research on Cancer. This is due to it causing genotoxic effects in a variety of types of eukaryotic cells, including human cells.…”

Health aspects of exposure to emissions from burning coal of high beryllium content: interactions with the immune system

“…Beryllium metal has no relevant acute oral toxicity, it is not a skin sensitizer and it has low local irritation properties, the evidence for its carcinogenicity in animal studies is weak (4). The human exposure to beryllium and soluble beryllium compounds can occur during the commercial extraction and use (5), there is a weak information about its presence in house-dust (6). Some exposed individuals develop acute or chronic reaction to beryllium, based on their genetic disposition and the immune system functions.…”

Fluorine removal from high-fluorine beryllium ore by roasting and leaching pretreatment

“…There are many studies about the treatment of beryllium from varied beryllium ores, most of them are about beryl or gadolinite with high content of beryllium (beryllium oxide, 10%-12%) (Duling et al, 2012;Andreev et al, 2008;Saha, 1994a). But with increasing applications of beryllium and its compounds in science and technology, it is important to develop an efficient method for extracting beryllium from non-beryl beryllium ores or low content beryllium ores with high content of fluorine (F/BeO N 10%).…”