Beryllium & beryllium compounds (as Be) Beryllium metal. Metal: A hard, brittle, gray-white solid. Metal: Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but a slight explosion hazard in the form of a powder or dust. Acids, caustics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, oxidizers, molten lithium. Berylliosis (chronic exposure): anorexia, weight loss, lassitude ...