Beryllium toxicity

Elow · by **Elow** » 2023-09-27 2:42 p.m.

I have a Minick Beryllium bell… that is apparently very toxic. I have not really been worried until i was looking up some information and google says any exposure can be toxic especially inhaling particles. Should i have this silver plated to be safe? It has a little bit of lacquer wear, i have definitely touched my mouth after touching the raw parts of my bell.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2023-09-27 3:10 p.m.

There's a reason all the Schilke piccolo trumpets are silver plated, for that toxicity. May be worth getting tested for heavy metals.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-09-27 3:16 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]There's a reason all the Schilke piccolo trumpets are silver plated, for that toxicity. May be worth getting tested for heavy metals.[/quote]

Beryllium's atomic number is 4 (Hydrogen is 1, Helium is 2, Lithium is 3). Not a heavy metal by any stretch. You can't find Beryllium using X-ray Fluorescence (I tried).

The bell is beryllium copper (and only a small percentage of beryllium at that).

I wouldn't be too panicked unless you spent some serious time sucking on your bell, or did some repair work that created dust that you could breathe.

If your bell has lacquer loss I'd make sure to relacquer it. Silver plate is OK also.

Elow · by **Elow** » 2023-09-27 4:35 p.m.

I have buffed it… without a mask. I’m experiencing a weird rash type skin condition, i wonder if it is related, but that really could be anything. Really wish i had insurance right now

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-09-27 5:46 p.m.

Toxicity of Beryllium-Copper (from Wikipedia)

Inhalation of dust, mist, or fumes containing beryllium can cause chronic beryllium disease, which restricts the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the bloodstream. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists beryllium as a Group 1 human carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) also lists beryllium as a carcinogen. Copper beryllium alloy containing less than 2.5% beryllium (in copper) is not designated as a carcinogen.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2023-09-27 7:22 p.m.

Yeah beryllium copper is only toxic if you machine it or inhale dust from it.

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2023-09-27 7:49 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]Yeah beryllium copper is only toxic if you machine it or inhale dust from it.[/quote]
It can cause skin irritation in some people. Skin contact isn't known to cause Chronic Beryllium Disease, though - for that, you need to inhale fine particles.

Elow, I know it's uncomfortable, but you should always were a mask when doing anything that generates a lot of fine particulates. Getting a bunch of crap in your lungs, even if it's neither toxic nor carcinogenic, is not good for you.

u_2bobone · by **u_2bobone** » 2023-09-27 11:01 p.m.

I played in the "Hazleton Liberty Band" at the grand opening of a beryllium plant located on the edge of the city back in the early 50s. I still have a medallion that was given to all the participants at the affair. I'm still alive at the age of 85 so I don't think your fears are warranted. Now ----- regarding plutonium pollution ------------.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2023-09-27 11:04 p.m.

Right, so it's not toxic if you touch it. Maybe there will be an allergic reaction. But breathing in dust after it is machined is toxic, in the medical sense of that term. I wouldn't be cutting or buffing it.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2023-09-28 1:50 a.m.

It's 97.5% NOT beryllium.

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2023-09-28 5:15 a.m.

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tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2023-09-28 9:42 a.m.

[quote="Elow"]I have buffed it… without a mask. I’m experiencing a weird rash type skin condition, i wonder if it is related, but that really could be anything. Really wish i had insurance right now[/quote] If you buffed it, did you then lacquer it? Those are quite rare and there's only so much metal you can buff off before it's too thin.

chromebone · by **chromebone** » 2023-09-28 9:44 a.m.

Unless you’re buffing it on a wheel and throwing up dust everywhere and you’re not wearing a mask, it’s not going to hurt you.

Elow · by **Elow** » 2023-09-28 4:21 p.m.

I was cleaning up the solder from when i had the bell mounted on my valve set. From what Doug said, i think i am safe.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-09-28 4:48 p.m.

[quote="Elow"]I was cleaning up the solder from when i had the bell mounted on my valve set. From what Doug said, i think i am safe.[/quote]

You were probably in more danger from the lead in the solder than the beryllium.

Still, please remember to use proper Personal Protective Equipment in the future.

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Beryllium toxicity