Beryllium oxide (CAS 1304-56-9): storage and disposal
Beryllium oxide is a white solid held as legacy stock in university stores, and it may also appear in legacy ceramics such as parts from older electronic equipment. It is fatal if inhaled, toxic if swallowed, may cause cancer by inhalation, damages organs through repeated exposure, and may cause an allergic skin reaction. Its dust is a serious lung hazard, so anything that could create dust decides how it is handled.
- CAS number
- 1304-56-9
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Dust decides where this goes, because the classification is fatal if inhaled and it may cause cancer by that route. A locked cabinet with a stock record is needed for jars of powder, on a low shelf and a tray, away from food and drink, oxidisers and acids. The less obvious holding is ceramics: an old electronics workshop may have white ceramic insulators or parts with no chemical label at all. An intact piece gives off little, yet sawing, filing or breaking one is exactly what must not happen. Box such parts with padding and a clear label, and keep them out of general spares bins where they might be reused or broken. Nothing about the white colour separates them from ordinary alumina.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Normal stock is a fine white powder or a hard white ceramic, and neither changes much with age. Powder gives few visual signs, so the checks that matter are a sound lid, a legible label and no white dust on the thread or the shelf. With ceramics, look for chips, cracks and rough broken edges, or a fine powder in the bottom of the storage box, since these may be the most serious finding in the room. Do not wipe, blow or brush away white dust to see better. A missing stock record is common, especially for parts that came in with equipment. Treat an unmarked white ceramic from old equipment as uncertain, and keep it intact until someone competent has looked at it.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Specialist collection is how it leaves, and no other route applies. Powder goes as a lab pack item under the normal laboratory code, 16 05 06*, with a declared lung hazard and a note of the jar size and lid condition. Ceramics need their own line, describing the part, its source equipment and whether any piece is chipped or broken, because a broken ceramic is packed with dust in mind. Never put either form in a sink, drain, general waste bin or skip. Metal recycling and electronic waste are also the wrong destinations for a suspected part. Do not cut, grind or clean anything to make it fit a container, and do not try to treat it before the visit.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: legacy stock.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H315 Causes skin irritation.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H330 Fatal if inhaled.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
- H350i May cause cancer by inhalation.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
How can we tell if an old white ceramic part contains beryllium oxide?
You often cannot tell by looking, as it resembles ordinary alumina. Check equipment manuals and maker records if you have them. Do not cut, file or test the piece. Where doubt remains, keep it intact and label it as suspected, and say so in the collection request.
A ceramic insulator has broken in its box. What should we do?
Close the box without disturbing the contents, and keep it out of use. Do not brush up the fragments or dust, since the dust is a serious lung hazard. Mark the box clearly as broken suspected material, restrict access to the area and get specialist advice.
Can intact ceramics stay with equipment spares until we retire the kit?
Only if they are labelled and cannot be handled carelessly. Spares bins invite drilling, filing and rough storage, all of which can create dust. A closed, padded and labelled box in a controlled store is better, with an entry in the stock record.
