Physicochemical Properties and Dissolution in Simulated Biological Fluids of Particles of Beryllium-Powered Rocket Motor Exhaust and Pure Beryllium Oxides Calcined at Low and High Temperature.

摘要

Certain physicochemical characteristics and dissolution properties, in simulated biological fluids, of Beryllium-powered rocket motor exhaust (RME) particles were compared to those of pure Beryllium oxide (BeO-the major component of RME) calcined at either 550 or 1600 C. The purpose of these comparisons was to determine which of the forms of BeO had physical and dissolution characteristics most similar to RME, thereby providing a preliminary basis for estimation of the potential toxicity of RME and to determine which form of BeO might be best suited as a surrogate for RME in future studies. RME is very scarce and difficult, as well as costly, to obtain. Though not definitive, this investigation suggests that the physical structure and dissolution properties of RME particles may be most similar to those of BeO calcined at the lower temperatures, which is widely held to be the most toxic of the BeO species.