Beryllium and its inorganic compounds - Addendum: Re-evaluation of the BAR: Assessment Values in Biological Material - Translation of the German Version from 2024.

The German Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission) summarised and re-evaluated the data for beryllium and its inorganic compounds regarding the recommended sampling times for biomonitoring, the derivation of exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances (EKA) and the biological reference value (BAR) in urine. Only one new study reports data for beryllium in air and urine, but for the same beryllium concentration in air, the corresponding concentration in urine was lower than that given in two older publications. Considering the inconsistent data and questions on the validity of older analytical methods, the data base is not sufficient to derive EKA. The BAR was re-evaluated and a BAR of 0.02 µg/l urine was established based on the data for background exposure. Sampling should be conducted after a steady state has been reached. The data base is not sufficient for the evaluation of a BAR in blood.