Letter B

Beryllium

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A toxic metal found in ores containing other elements that is used in making metal alloys for nuclear reactors and the aerospace industry.

Acute exposure to beryllium fumes can cause a severe, sometimes fatal pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs).

Chronic overexposure to beryllium is more common and causes a diffuse inflammatory reaction in the lungs resulting in granulomas and fibrosis of the lungs and, in time, increasing shortness of breath.

Beryllium poisoning is termed berylliosis

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