IUPAC

The project will focus on all aspects associated with beryllium in foods. Main topics covered will include: occurrence and levels, daily intake, health risks, contamination routes and methods of analysis. In a recent monograph (1993) IARC evaluated this element and its compounds and came to the overal conclusion that they are carcinogenic to humans; i.e. Group 1 compounds. Although the overall production of beryllium and beryllium compounds has decreased over the last decade, as evidenced by the production figures of beryl, there is a relative application increase in alloys and electronic components. Also, the emission of beryllium into the environment due to coal combustion is estimated at 400 tons annually. Thus, there is considerable interest on the availability and validity of food levels, intake data and methods of analysis.