 Early researchers tasted beryllium and its various compounds for sweetness in order to verify its presence . Modern diagnostic equipment no longer necessitates this highly risky procedure and no attempt should be made to ingest this highly toxic substance . Beryllium and its compounds should be handled with great care and special precautions must be taken when carrying out any activity which could result in the release of beryllium dust ( lung cancer is a possible result of prolonged exposure to beryllium @-@ laden dust ) . Although the use of beryllium compounds in fluorescent lighting tubes was discontinued in 1949 , potential for exposure to beryllium exists in the nuclear and aerospace industries and in the refining of beryllium metal and melting of beryllium @-@ containing alloys , the manufacturing of electronic devices , and the handling of other beryllium @-@ containing material . 
