Levels Of Beryllium Research Articles

Impact of Chronic Beryllium Exposure on Liver and Lung Function and Hematologic Parameters

Beryllium is a lightweight metal that is toxic to humans. The critical health effects related to beryllium exposure are liver toxicity, immune system toxicity, and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). This study investigated the effects of occupational beryllium exposure on liver and lung function and hematologic parameters among beryllium smelter workers. A cross-sectional study was performed by comparing 65 exposed workers and 34 non-exposed workers. Health information was collected through questionnaire surveys and biochemical tests. The concentration of urinary beryllium was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The findings indicated that the urinary beryllium levels of the exposed workers and the controls were 0.48 (0.115, 1.19) μg/mL and 0.0125 (0.005, 0.005) μg/mL, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared with the controls, the exposed workers showed a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the HGB concentration and ALT level were significantly correlated with the concentration of beryllium in urine (p < 0.05). The exposed workers had increased urinary concentrations of beryllium, in contrast to the control subjects. Moreover, the urinary beryllium levels among the exposed workers are much higher than that in the Chinese general population. Beryllium-exposed workers may be at risk of liver and hematologic impairments.

New insights into assembly processes and driving factors of urban soil microbial community under environmental stress in Beijing

Rapid urbanization leads to drastic environmental changes, directly or indirectly affecting the structure and function of soil microbial communities. However, the ecological response of soil microbes to environmental stresses has not yet been fully explored. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the assembly mechanism and driving factors of soil microbial community under environmental stresses. The results indicated that environmental stresses significantly affected soil properties and the levels of beryllium, cobalt, antimony, and vanadium contamination in soil generally increased from the suburban areas toward the city core. The composition and distribution of soil microbial communities demonstrated clear differences under different levels of environmental stress, but there was no significant difference in microbial diversity. Random forest and partial least squares structural equation modeling results suggested that multiple factors influenced microbial diversity, but antimony was the key driver. The influence of environmental stress led to deterministic processes dominating microbial community assembly processes, which promoted the regional homogenization of soil microbes. Therefore, this study provides new insights into urban soil microbial management under environmental stresses.

Heavy Metal Contamination in Kumaun Lakes, Lesser Himalaya, India: Impact on Water Quality and Environmental Health

The lakes of Kumaun, located in the Lesser Himalaya, India, are vital water sources supporting local life and attracting tourists. These tectonically formed lakes sit within a geologically diverse region consisting of dolomites, limestones, shales, silicates, and volcanic rocks, providing various ecosystem services. This study utilizes Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate heavy metal pollution in Nal-Damyanti Tal, Garur Tal, and Sat Tal lakes. Results indicate mercury (Hg) concentrations exceeding permissible limits in two lakes, ranging from 0.48 to 2.027 µg/L, alongside high levels of aluminum (Al), beryllium (Be), and selenium (Se). The data suggests that both anthropogenic activities and geological factors contribute to the trace metal accumulation in these lakes. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive management strategies to protect water quality and environmental health.

A sensitive vesicle mediated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of parts per quadrillion levels of beryllium from seawater samples prior to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination

A rapid and highly sensitive vesicle mediated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure is developed for the determination of parts per quadrillion level of beryllium in seawater and air filter samples for providing its natural background and contamination levels. In this procedure, dioctylsulfosuccinate, an anionic vesicular surfactant and acetylacetone are used as dispersing and chelating agents, respectively. At pH > 9.5, beryllium forms hydrophobic beryllium-acetylacetonate complex spontaneously at room temperature. This complex is selectively filled into the vesicular cavities of dioctylsulfosuccinate and is extracted into small chloroform phase from bulk aqueous phase. The beryllium present in the chloroform phase is back extracted with dilute nitric acid and is analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. This method is applied to groundwater, seawater, coal fly ash, air filter and sea sludge samples. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection, limit of quantification and linear dynamic range are 10 fg mL−1, 33 fg mL−1 and 40–500 fg mL−1 for seawater; 0.15 ng g−1, 0.5 ng g−1 and 0.4–4 ng g−1 for air filter and 1.5 ng g−1, 0.39 ng g−1 and 0.4–4 ng g−1 for coal fly ash, respectively. For 1 L seawater sample an enrichment factor of 954 is achieved. Coefficient of determination (R2) is found to be 0.997. The recoveries are in the range of 94–105% at 200–500 fg mL−1. The relative standard deviations are 20%, 11%, 8% for ppq, ppt and ppb levels of Be, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure is verified by analyzing NIST SRMs 1640 and 1640a trace elements in natural water.

Trace element imbalances in blood serum of Alzheimer’s disease patients

Trace element concentration of blood serum samples of patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and controls were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. 22 elements starting from low atomic number element lithium to high atomic number element lead were covered under this study. The concentration of lithium and vanadium were measured for the first time. The concentration levels of lithium, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, arsenic, selenium, silver, cadmium, cesium, mercury, and lead are found to be higher and the concentration levels of gallium, rubidium, and barium to be lower in the samples of the Alzheimer’s disease afflicted patients compared to controls. The difference in the concentration levels of beryllium, copper, and strontium between the specimens of Alzheimer's disease patients and controls is statistically insignificant. An attempt is made to correlate the trace element imbalance, where observed, with the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hazar Gölü Sedimentinde Jeolojik Dönemlere Bağlı Olarak Bazı Elementlerin Konsantrasyonlarının Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışmada Hazar Gölü (Elazığ)'nden alınan karotta derinlik profili boyunca sedimentte bazı elementlerin konsantrasyonlarının belirlenmesi ve sonuçların son jeolojik dönemlere göre karşılaştırması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaca yönelik Hazar Gölü‘nde tamamlanmış olan 111Y045 Nolu TÜBİTAK projesi kapsamında alınmış piston karotlarından her 5 cm‘de bir örnekler alınarak, arsenik (As), civa (Hg), molibden (Mo), baryum (Ba), uranyum (U), kalay (Sn), titanyum (Ti), lantan (La) ve berilyum (Be) elementlerinin düzeyleri belirlenmiştir. Ba, Hg, La, Ti ve U elementlerinin en düşük konsantrasyonları (sırasıyla 111 ppm, 0.01 ppm, 4.4 ppm, 1190 ppm and 0.6 ppm) 81-83 cm derinlikte bulunmuştur. Bu derinliğin G.Ö. 10 000 yıl önceye ve Holosen Döneme (günümüzden 10,5 bin yıl öncesi) denk geldiği belirlenmiştir. As, Ba, Hg, Sn, La, Mo, Ti ve U elementlerinin en yüksek konsantrasyonları farklı derinliklerde bulunmuştur. En yüksek Hg konsantrasyonu 4-6 cm derinlikte belirlenmiş olup, bu derinliğin günümüze denk geldiği tespit edilmiştir. As ve Ba elementlerinin en yüksek konsantrasyonlarının Buzul Öncesi Dönem/Geç Pleyistosen Döneme (günümüzden 10,5 bin yıl önce) denk geldiği bulunmuştur. Diğer elementlerin (Sn, La, Mo ve Ti) en yüksek konsantrasyonlarının ise Son Maksimum Buzul Öncesi Dönem/Geç Pleyistosen Döneme (günümüzden 23-16 bin yılları arası) denk geldiği belirlenmiştir. Bu farklılıkların nedeni olarak, göl ekosisteminin bulunduğu havzanın jeolojik yapısı, biyolojik ve hidrolojik süreçler, iklimsel faktörler ve göl havzasındaki antropojenik faktörler gösterilebilir.

Evaluation of stream sediment contamination by potentially toxic elements around mining and farming areas (SE Nigeria)

In this work, the concentrations of the potentially toxic elements in stream sediments in SE Nigeria were assessed for pollution monitoring in mining, quarrying, and farming areas. The levels of iron, molybdenum, vanadium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese, chromium, barium, and beryllium were determined. The concentrations of the elements were in the order of Fe > Ba > Mn > Cr > Zn > Pb > Cu > Co > Ni > As > Mo. There were significant positive correlations at P EiR (Pb)> EiR (Cu) > EiR (Co) > EiR (Cr) > EiR (V) > EiR (Ni) > EiR (Zn). Ba, Pb, and As should be monitored further to determine their source and recommend possible remedial measures. The result of this work could be used to improve water management efficiency and serve as a benchmark of vulnerability assessment of the studied area. This could also be useful for future impact assessment and adequate planning of mining and farming areas. In addition, the result obtained could assist the scientists to make appropriate environmental management strategies to reduce the influence of metal contamination triggered from the mining sites and farming areas both in Nigeria and globally.

Hair multi-bioelement profile of Kashin-Beck disease in the endemic regions of China

BackgroundKashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a serious chronic osteochondral disease that is endemic in humans. Selenium (Se) has been considered in hypotheses of the aetiology of KBD, but few studies have explored the relationship between other elements and KBD. ObjectiveThis study explored the relationship between 39 elements and KBD. Methods: In this retrospective study, 150 boys aged 6 to 14 years were randomly selected from a total population of 1,214 children. Subjects from endemic areas were divided into five groups: (KBD -Bin, N = 30; KBD + Se-Yongshou, N = 30; Control -Bin, N = 30; Control + Se -Yongshou, N = 30; and Control External -Chang’an, N = 30). Samples of occipital hair were collected from each subject, and thirty-nine elements, including 15 toxic elements, 19 nutrient elements, and 5 other elements were assayed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Correlation analysis of the elements in each group was performed by ggcorrplot (visualization of a correlation matrix using 'ggplot2') and PerformanceAnalytics packages in the program R Project. ResultsAmong the 15 toxic elements, the levels of aluminum (Al) and bismuth (Bi) in the KBD -Bin were significantly higher than in the other groups, and the levels of silver (Ag), beryllium (Be), platinum (Pt), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) in the KBD -Bin were significantly lower than in the other groups. Among the 19 nutrient elements, the levels of selenium (Se), iodine (I), sulfur (S), and boron (B) in the KBD -Bin were significantly lower than in the other groups. The levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), strontium (Sr) and phosphorus (P) in the KBD -Bin were significantly higher than in the other groups. Correlations between various elements were remarkably different among the groups. There were positive correlations between As and Pb, Cd and Sb, Pb and Sb, Sb and U in the Control External -Chang’an, between Al and Ni, Cd and Pb, Tl and Ni, Ti and U in the Se-S KBD, and between B and I, B and Mo, Mn and V in the Control External -Chang’an. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the interactions between elements do not represent a simple reciprocal relationship in the occurrence of KBD. In fact, KBD was associated with an imbalance in multiple elements that play a dynamic and interactive role in the development of the disease.

Evaluation of nutritional status in children with amblyopia.

We aimed to compare the body mass index and vitamin and mineral status of children with and without amblyopia. Amblyopic children aged between 5 and 18 years (n=46) and age-matched control children (n=32) were evaluated in terms of anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, body mass index and demographic features. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were measured using an Advia Centaur XP (Siemens, Ireland) biochemistry analyzer. We evaluated the inorganic mineral elements from hair samples with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using a Thermo XSeries 2 analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of height, weight, and body mass index or serum B12 and folate concentrations (p>0.05). Children with severe amblyopia had lower vitamin B12 and folate and higher body mass index. The levels of phosphorus (p=0.012), selenium (p=0.002), molybdenum (p<0.001), iodine (p=0.002), chromium (p=0.022), boron (p<0.001), and beryllium (p=0.005) were all significantly lower in the amblyopia group compared to the control group. All of these minerals, except phosphorus, were also significantly lower in those with severe amblyopia compared to those with milder amblyopia and controls (p<0.05). Amblyopic children are significantly deficient in some inorganic elements. Inorganic elements, vitamin B12, and folate may play an important role in the visual development of amblyopic children.

Accurate Reporting of Key Trace Elements in Ruby and Sapphire Using Matrix-Matched Standards

To improve the accuracy and efficiency of trace element analysis in ruby and sapphire, standards sets containing matrix-matched corundum with targeted levels of beryllium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, and gallium were created. Ultra-high-purity corundum was also incorporated as a “true matrix zero.” To our knowledge, these sets contain the most accurate standards for the key trace elements in corundum today. The standards were designed to cover the optimal range of the main trace elements typically characterized in natural ruby and sapphire. Additionally, we were able to accurately quantify silicon in corundum by successfully resolving the ^(28)Si^+ peak from the ^(27)Al^1H^+ peak using the superior mass resolving power of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) as compared to laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–quadrupole mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-QMS).

CHANGES OF NONESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS LEVELS IN WHOLE BLOOD OF END STAGE RENAL DISEASE ADULT PATIENTS

Aims: Accumulation of trace elements occurs in conditions of decreased or termination of kidneys functions. In some conditions increased trace elements can obtain toxic features. On other hand, researches are showing that concentration of some trace elements could be decreased in ERSD patients, too. The most important factor affecting trace element concentration in ERSD patient is the degree of renal failure and using of replacement therapy.&#x0D; Materials and methods: We determined the concentration of microelements (beryllium, boron, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, nickel, arsenic, rubidium, strontium, cadmium, cesium, barium, thallium and lead) in whole blood of 41 ESRD patients with chronic kidney disease stage VD, who were treated with hemodialysis / hemodiafiltration and in 61 conditionally healthy donors. Determination of whole bloods trace elements content was conducted using inductive coupled plasma mass- spectrometry (ICPMS).&#x0D; Results: It is determinate that levels of beryllium, boron, aluminum, vanadium, chromium, strontium, cadmium, barium, thallium and lead is reliable increased in ESRD patients. Decreased levels are observed for nickel, arsenic, cesium and rubidium.&#x0D; Conclusions: ESRD is accompanied with substantial and multidirectional changes of trace elements blood levels. During researches has shown that in ESRD patients processes of trace elements accumulation are prevailing over elimination ones.

Assessment of personal airborne exposures and surface contamination from x-ray vaporization of beryllium targets at the National Ignition Facility

ABSTRACTThis article presents air and surface sampling data collected over the first two years since beryllium was introduced as a target material at the National Ignition Facility. Over this time, 101 experiments with beryllium-containing targets were executed. The data provides an assessment of current conditions in the facility and a baseline for future impacts as new, reduced regulatory limits for beryllium are being proposed by both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Department of Energy. This study also investigates how beryllium deposits onto exposed surfaces as a result of x-ray vaporization and the effectiveness of simple decontamination measures in reducing the amount of removable beryllium from a surface. Based on 1,961 surface wipe samples collected from entrant components (equipment directly exposed to target debris) and their surrounding work areas during routine reconfiguration activities, only one result was above the beryllium release limit of 0.2 µg/100 cm2 and 27 results were above the analytical reporting limit of 0.01 µg/100 cm2, for a beryllium detection rate of 1.4%. Surface wipe samples collected from the internal walls of the NIF target chamber, however, showed higher levels of beryllium, with beryllium detected on 73% and 87% of the samples during the first and second target chamber entries (performed annually), respectively, with 23% of the samples above the beryllium release limit during the second target chamber entry. The analysis of a target chamber wall panel exposed during the first 30 beryllium-containing experiments (cumulatively) indicated that 87% of the beryllium contamination remains fixed onto the surface after wet wiping the surface and 92% of the non-fixed contamination was removed by decontaminating the surface using a dry wipe followed by a wet wipe. Personal airborne exposures assessed during access to entrant components and during target chamber entry indicated that airborne beryllium was not present in workers' breathing zones. All the data thus far have shown that beryllium has been effectively managed to prevent exposures to workers during routine and non-routine work.

Elemental properties of coal slag and measured airborne exposures at two coal slag processing facilities

ABSTRACTIn 1974, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended a ban on the use of silica sand abrasives containing >1% silica due to the risk of silicosis. This gave rise to substitutes including coal slag. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation in 2010 uncovered a case cluster of suspected pneumoconiosis in four former workers at a coal slag processing facility in Illinois, possibly attributable to occupational exposure to coal slag dust. This article presents the results from a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health industrial hygiene survey at the same coal slag processing facility and a second facility. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of: (a) bulk samples of unprocessed coal slag, finished granule product, and settled dust for metals and silica; (b) full-shift area air samples for dust, metals, and crystalline silica; and (c) full-shift personal air samples for dust, metals, and crystalline silica.Bulk samples consisted mainly of iron, manganese, titanium, and vanadium. Some samples had detectable levels of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, and cobalt. Unprocessed coal slags from Illinois and Kentucky contained 0.43–0.48% (4,300–4,800 mg/kg) silica. Full-shift area air samples identified elevated total dust levels in the screen (2–38 mg/m3) and bag house (21 mg/m3) areas. Full-shift area air samples identified beryllium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, manganese, and vanadium. Overall, personal air samples for total and respirable dust (0.1–6.6 mg/m3 total; and 0.1–0.4 mg/m3 respirable) were lower than area air samples. All full-shift personal air samples for metals and silica were below published occupational exposure limits. All bulk samples of finished product granules contained less than 1% silica, supporting the claim coal slag may present less risk for silicosis than silica sand. We note that the results presented here are solely from two coal slag processing facilities, and more in-depth air monitoring is needed to better characterize occupational exposure to coal slag dust, metals, and silica at similar facilities.

A New Ion Pair-based Surfactant-assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction of Ultratrace Levels of Beryllium From Natural and Effluent Samples Followed by ETAAS Determination

A New Ion Pair-based Surfactant-assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction of Ultratrace Levels of Beryllium From Natural and Effluent Samples Followed by ETAAS Determination

Welding Fumes Control in the Shipyard

Welding is a process used extensively in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. Welding fumes contain base metal and any coatings present on the base metal. The most common control measures are ventilation and respiratory protection. Welders wear a respiratory protection and use local exhaust ventilation in enclosed and confined spaces in the ships and in the yard. Current study was conducted to determine a necessity of using a respirator along with local exhaust ventilation in a partially open space in a production area in the yard. Having this purpose air samples were taken and local exhaust ventilation was tested. One welder was surveyed while he was welding mild steel. The results showed elevated levels of beryllium and manganese in the breathing zone. Continue wearing respiratory protection and using local exhaust ventilation while welding in this particular location was strongly recommended.

Migration of Beryllium via Multiple Exposure Pathways among Work Processes in Four Different Facilities

Inhalation of beryllium is associated with the development of sensitization; however, dermal exposure may also be important. The primary aim of this study was to elucidate relationships among exposure pathways in four different manufacturing and finishing facilities. Secondary aims were to identify jobs with increased levels of beryllium in air, on skin, and on surfaces; identify potential discrepancies in exposure pathways, and determine if these are related to jobs with previously identified risk.Beryllium was measured in air, on cotton gloves, and on work surfaces. Summary statistics were calculated and correlations among all three measurement types were examined at the facility and job level. Exposure ranking strategies were used to identify jobs with higher exposures.The highest air, glove, and surface measurements were observed in beryllium metal production and beryllium oxide ceramics manufacturing jobs that involved hot processes and handling powders. Two finishing and distribution facilities that handle solid alloy products had lower exposures than the primary production facilities, and there were differences observed among jobs. For all facilities combined, strong correlations were found between air-surface (rp ≥ 0.77), glove-surface (rp ≥ 0.76), and air-glove measurements (rp ≥ 0.69). In jobs where higher risk of beryllium sensitization or disease has been reported, exposure levels for all three measurement types were higher than in jobs with lower risk, though they were not the highest. Some jobs with low air concentrations had higher levels of beryllium on glove and surface wipe samples, suggesting a need to further evaluate the causes of the discrepant levels.Although such correlations provide insight on where beryllium is located throughout the workplace, they cannot identify the direction of the pathways between air, surface, or skin. Ranking strategies helped to identify jobs with the highest combined air, glove, and/or surface exposures. All previously identified high-risk jobs had high air concentrations, dermal mass loading, or both, and none had low dermal and air. We have found that both pathways are relevant.[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resource: a file describing the forms of beryllium materials encountered during production and characteristics of the aerosols by process areas.]

Determination of picomolar beryllium levels in seawater with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry following silica-gel preconcentration

A robust and rapid method for the determination of natural levels of beryllium (Be) in seawater was developed to facilitate mapping Be concentrations in the ocean. A solid-phase extraction method using a silica gel column was applied for preconcentration and purification of Be in seawater prior to determination of Be concentrations with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Be was quantitatively adsorbed onto silica gel from solutions with pH values ranging from 6.3 to 9, including natural seawater. The chelating agent ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid was used to remove other ions in the seawater matrix (Na, Mg, and Ca) that interfere with the ICP-MS analysis. The reproducibility of the method was 3% based on triplicate analyses of natural seawater samples, and the detection limit was 0.4pmolkg−1 for 250mL of seawater, which is sufficient for the analysis of seawater in the open ocean. The method was then used to determine the vertical profile of Be in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, which was found to be a recycled-type profile in which the Be concentration increased with depth from the surface (7.2pmolkg−1 at <200m) to deep water (29.2pmolkg−1 from 3500m to the bottom).

Sarcoidosis and chronic beryllium disease: similarities and differences.

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a granulomatous lung disease that may be pathologically and clinically indistinguishable from pulmonary sarcoidosis, except through use of immunologic testing, such as the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). Similar to sarcoidosis, the pulmonary manifestations of CBD are variable and overlap with other respiratory diseases. Definitive diagnosis of CBD is established by evidence of immune sensitization to beryllium and diagnostic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy. However, the diagnosis of CBD can also be established on a medically probable basis in beryllium-exposed patients with consistent radiographic imaging and clinical course. Beryllium workers exposed too much higher levels of beryllium in the past demonstrated a much more fulminant disease than is usually seen today. Some extrapulmonary manifestations similar to sarcoidosis were noted in these historic cohorts, although with a narrower spectrum. Extrapulmonary manifestations of CBD are rare today. Since lung-predominant sarcoidosis can very closely resemble CBD, CBD is still misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis when current or past exposure to beryllium is not recognized and no BeLPT is obtained. This article describes the similarities and differences between CBD and sarcoidosis, including clinical and diagnostic features that can help physicians consider CBD in patients with apparent lung-predominant sarcoidosis.

Beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children.

Power plant dust is believed to be the main source of the increased presence of the element beryllium in the environment which has been detected in the atmospheric air, surface waters, groundwater, soil, food, and cigarette smoke. In humans, beryllium absorption occurs mainly via the respiratory system. The pharyngeal tonsils are located on the roof of the nasopharynx and are in direct contact with dust particles in inhaled air. As a result, the concentration levels of beryllium in the pharyngeal tonsils are likely to be a good indicator of concentration levels in the air. The presented study had two primary aims: to investigate the beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children living in southern Poland, and the appropriate reference range for this element in children's pharyngeal tonsils. Pharyngeal tonsils were extracted from a total of 379 children (age 2-17 years, mean 6.2 ± 2.7 years) living in southern Poland. Tonsil samples were mineralized in a closed cycle in a pressure mineralizer PDS 6, using 65% spectrally pure nitric acid. Beryllium concentration was determined using the ICP-AES method with a Perkin Elmer Optima 5300DVTM. The software Statistica v. 9 was used for the statistical analysis. It was found that girls had a significantly greater beryllium concentration in their pharyngeal tonsils than boys. Beryllium concentration varies greatly, mostly according to the place of residence. Based on the study results, the reference value for beryllium in pharyngeal tonsils of children is recommended to be determined at 0.02-0.04 µg/g.

Prediction of 1P Rydberg energy levels of beryllium based on calculations with explicitly correlated Gaussians

Benchmark variational calculations are performed for the seven lowest 1s(2)2s np ((1)P), n = 2...8, states of the beryllium atom. The calculations explicitly include the effect of finite mass of (9)Be nucleus and account perturbatively for the mass-velocity, Darwin, and spin-spin relativistic corrections. The wave functions of the states are expanded in terms of all-electron explicitly correlated Gaussian functions. Basis sets of up to 12,500 optimized Gaussians are used. The maximum discrepancy between the calculated nonrelativistic and experimental energies of 1s(2)2s np ((1)P) →1s(2)2s(2) ((1)S) transition is about 12 cm(-1). The inclusion of the relativistic corrections reduces the discrepancy to bellow 0.8 cm(-1).