Beryllium [Be, 4]

Beryllium is an alkaline metal of the group 2 in the periodic table of elements and reveals lithophilic affinity. Its average content of the Earth’s upper crust is calculated within the range 4–6 mg/kg. World mine production of Beryllium in 2010 was about 190 t, of which 170 t was mined in the United States. Industrial uses of Beryllium are of great importance as it is very light and very resistant metal. Recently, most data for Beryllium in soils are related to contaminated soils. Increased beryllium levels in soil might be due to geological influence; for example, soils over Be-rich granite in Czech Republic contain up to 15 mg Be/kg. Exposure to Beryllium and its compounds is much more hazardous by inhalation than by ingestion, because they are poorly absorbed after oral and dermal exposure. The respiratory tract in humans and animals is the primary target of Beryllium toxicity following inhalation exposure.