From pfpc@istar.ca Sun Dec 19 10:49:17 1999 Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 23:27:26 -0800 From: PFPC To: brou@istar.ca Subject: PFPC HEALTH ALERT:Beryllium Fluoride PFPC HEALTH ALERT: BERYLLIUM FLUORIDE 1999 PFPC (feel free to distribute, as always) December 16, 1999 1) BERYLLIUM FLUORIDE A CARCINOGEN 2) WHAT IS BERYLLIUM? 3) EXPOSURE 4) OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS 5) DENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 6) AND NOW, FOR THE REAL NEWS... ------------------------------------------------------------------- BERYLLIUM FLUORIDE A CARCINOGEN The NTP 7th Annual Report on Carcinogens reported that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of Beryllium Fluoride in experimental animals. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, such as the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, have classified beryllium as a cause of cancer in humans. Beryllium Fluoride is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, DOT, IARC, NTP and CAG. This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. In a study that covered 15 regions of the U.S., Berg and Burbank (1972) found a significant correlation between cancers of the breast, bone and uterus and the concentration and detection frequency of beryllium in drinking water. However, the EPA (1986) claimed that imperfect analytical and sampling methods were used in the study and concluded that these results are not proof of cause and effect relationships between cancer and beryllium in drinking water. Rabbits given intravenous injections of beryllium metal and various compounds of beryllium (zinc beryllium silicate, beryllium silicate, beryllium oxide and beryllium phosphate) developed osteosarcomas. The EPA says that there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, and all exposure should be limited to lowest possible levels. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2)WHAT IS BERYLLIUM? Beryllium is a gray, light metal with chemical properties similar to aluminum. It is used to make light alloys which are used in dental ware (such as crowns, bridges, and dental plates), in nuclear reactors, in aerospace structures, airplane brakes, and in inertial guidance systems. It is also used in petroleum refinery and as a rocket fuel additive. Beryllium is also used in consumer products, such as televisions, calculators, and personal computers, and in the coating on the inside of fluorescent lights. Beryllium may also enter the aquatic environment through the weathering of rocks and soils, and through discharges from industrial and municipal operations. Because beryllium tends to exist in solution at pH levels less than about 5.5 (and most rainwater has a pH less than 5), it will also enter into solution and be transported to the Earth's surface via rainwater (Acid Rain). Beryllium is highly soluble in water, and more toxic in soft water than in hard water. Beryllium is highly persistent in water with a half-life of greater than 200 days. (The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) EXPOSURE The general population is potentially exposed to beryllium by inhaling air and consuming food and water contaminated with beryllium residues. Exposure occurs mainly through the release of beryllium into the atmosphere from the burning of coal. From 10 to 20 million lb/yr of beryllium may be emitted from coal burning and refuse incineration globally. Beryllium concentrations in U.S. coal ranges from 1.46 to 1.52 mg/kg. In the United States, more than 80% of the beryllium emissions originate from coal-fired vessels. Approximately 721,000 persons living within 12.5 miles of point sources were thus possibly exposed in daily (1986) to small amounts of beryllium through inhalation. In 1987, total daily intake values for beryllium in the general population were estimated by the EPA to be 1.6 microgram /day in air, 120 microgram in food, and 285 microgram in water. In addition, a smoker of one pack of cigarettes/day could inhale up to 700 microgram of beryllium, depending on the type of tobacco used. However, considering ACTUAL beryllium concentrations in food and water, intake must be presumed to be much higher: *Beryllium concentrations in food: 0.08 mg/kg in polished rice 0.12 mg/kg in toasted bread, 0.17 mg/kg in potatoes, 0.24 mg/kg in tomatoes, and 0.33 mg/kg in head lettuce. 0.01 mg/kg in beans 0.05 mg/kg in cabbage 0.01 mg/kg in hen eggs (yolk) 0.02 mg/kg in milk 0.12 mg/kg in mushrooms 0.01 to 0.47 mg/kg in nuts Considering that the Maximum Contaminat Level (MCL) for beryllium is set at 0.004mg/l, this is very disturbing. If the levels of beryllium exceed the MCL consistently, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health. NOBODY is watching the food supply, or issuing similar warnings when levels exceed the known limits of potential toxicity! Small amounts of Beryllium are also ingested by all people who consume "Colloid Minerals" on a daily basis. Beryllium will combine with fluoride ions in the system and form Beryllium Fluoride. Such compounds can also form in the drinking water, and in food. Absorption of beryllium fluoride exceeded that of chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and hydroxide (Bugryshev et al., 1984). Zorn et al. (1988) reported that a portion of beryllium or its compounds is stored in the liver and skeleton. Analysis of tissues from workers exposed to beryllium via inhalation revealed that the highest levels of the metal were in the lungs, then bone, liver, and kidneys (Tepper et al., 1961; Meehan and Smyth, 1967). LOW LEVEL EXPOSURE In April, physicians at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, reported that even exposure to EXTREMELY LOW LEVELS has been shown to cause chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in workers who manufacture these products. "The potential health risk has been underestimated because the low level of beryllium content has been trivialized," lead author Dr. Balkissoon said. "ANYTHING that has some beryllium content may cause chronic beryllium disease. Even very low level exposure in a susceptible person can lead to significant lung disease." --------------------------------------------------------------- 4) OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS Chronic health effects (long-term) health effects can occur a long time after exposure to Beryllium Fluoride and can last for months or years. Toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. A single high exposure or repeated lower exposures can cause permanent scars in the lungs and other body organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss and poor appetite. These effects may occur months or years after exposure. Severe cases develop disability and even heart failure. Kidney stones can occur from high or repeated exposure. Beryllium increases in concentration, or bioaccumulates, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. It can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. Beryllium and its compounds have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of beryllium on plants, birds, or land animals. Beryllium and its compounds are regulated under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), which subjects them to reporting requirements. Under CERCLA, EPA had proposed reportable quantities (RQs) of 1 lb for beryllium and 5,000 lb for beryllium chloride and beryllium fluoride. (Imagine that...5,000 pounds!) The final rule adjusted the RQs to 10 lb for beryllium and beryllium dust and 1 lb for beryllium chloride and beryllium fluoride. (Thank heavens...) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) DENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Beryllium containing dental alloys have the potential to be a significant hazard to the lab technician, dentist and patient. In 1949 the maximum tolerable exposure level in industry was set at only 2 MICROGRAMS per cubic foot of air over an 8-hour workday. Yet when dental alloys are ground and polished in an unvented dental laboratory, the worker is routinely exposed to from 60 to 160 times the above safety level set by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Similarly high exposures to beryllium dust can occur when adjustments or repairs are made to dental alloys which are still in the mouth. (Of course, you'll get a fluoride treatment after...) In industry, beryllium disease has occurred only six months after inhaling very small amounts of fumes. Under current laws (on the books for many years), dentists and dental assistants MUST abide by OSHA approved handling standards when simply only HANDLING such materials. When was the last time a dentist gave you ANY sort of warnings about amalgam? Or ANY warning about fluoride? Or beryllium??? OSHA regulates beryllium and beryllium compounds as CARCINOGENS under the Hazard Communication Standard and as chemical hazards in laboratories! -------------------------------------------------------------------- AND NOW, FOR THE REAL NEWS... Of 28 metals tested, only beryllium and aluminum promoted G protein activation by fluoride.(See PFPC NEWSLETTER #1). While beryllium fluoride is a declared carcinogen, no such evaluation exists for aluminum fluoride compounds. The compounds are similar in their chemical properties and bio-chemical activity. Aluminum toxicity is a widespread problem in all forms of life, including humans, animals, fish, plants and trees, and causes widespread degradation of the environment and health. Thousands of reference articles on aluminum toxicity exist in various data bases; all recognizing the toxicity. Despite this overwhelming evidence as to aluminum and aluminum fluoride toxicity, the FDA has always exempted it from testing by putting it on their Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) list. Aluminum can be added to foods, medicines or water without restriction from the FDA or anybody else. Vaccines, allergy skin tests, 25% human serum albumin, baby skin creams (stabilized with aluminum), and prenatal IV's, baby diaper wipes and antacids which are frequently given to infants in an IV are extremely high in aluminum. For adults and children, the accumulation continues from suntan lotion, antacids, cookware, and aluminum cans and skin moisturizers. Deodorant, vaginal douches and baby wipes are not only high in aluminum but are applied to areas where there is far greater chance of absorption through the skin. In addition, levels in food are simply outrageous: Cucumber..........................0.4 - 21,000 ppm (Fruit) Echinacea.........................786 - 12,900 ppm (Root) Tomato............................0.3 - 1,700 ppm (Fruit) Black Bean, Garden Bean, Green Bean, Haricot, String Bean..1 - 1,050 ppm (Fruit) Peach.............................2.25 - 1,050 ppm (Fruit) Asparagus.........................700ppm (Shoot) Black Tea.........................445 - 1552 ppm / F- => 30 - 340ppm To verify some of the effects on G Proteins and other related detrimental effects, including mutations, cancer cell activation, etc. check out some of the links below. Aluminum fluoride (370+ studies) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?form=4&db=m&term=aluminum+fl uoride AlF4-(300+) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?form=4&db=m&term=AlF4- Fluoroaluminate (120+) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?form=4&db=m&term=fluoroalumi nate Beryllium Fluoride(60+) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?form=4&db=m&term=beryllium+f luoride BeF3- (30+) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?form=4&db=m&term=BeF3- Parents of Fluoride Poisoned Children Vancouver, BC, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe to the PFPC NEWSLETTER, send message to pfpc@istar.ca and put "subscribe" in subject box. Likewise, to unsubscribe, put "cancel" in subject box.