Water Quality Standards

Beryllium has a number of important minor uses, based mostly on its heat resistance. It is found infrequently in drinking-water and only at very low concentrations, usually less than 1 µg/litre.

Beryllium appears to be poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Beryllium and beryllium compounds have been classified by IARC as being probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) on the basis of occupational exposure and inhalation studies in laboratory animals. There are no adequate studies by which to judge whether it is carcinogenic by oral exposure.

Beryllium has been shown to interact with DNA and cause gene mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and sister chromatid exchange in cultured mammalian somatic cells, although it has not been shown to be mutagenic in bacterial test systems.

There are no suitable oral data on which to base a toxicologically supportable guideline value. However, the very low concentrations of beryllium normally found in drinking-water seem unlikely to pose a hazard to consumers.