To evaluate the potential health hazard of beryllium under certain circumstances, a study was made of the interaction of metallic beryllium with oxidizing environments. This study consisted of two parts. Beryllium was subjected to the action of hydrocarbon/hydrogen/oxygen flames at temperatures below and above the melting point, A determination was made of the amount of contamination by the oxide of the downstream flue gases. The experiments indicated that the oxidation rates and the contamination are relatively low below the melting point of beryllium (1283 C). Above this temperature, however, it was found that the molten metal burned rapidly when unprotected by an oxide layer. This caused a sharp increase in both rate of oxidation and in downstream contamination. The second part of this study was concerned with the behavior of beryllium when surrounded by water substance. The experimental work was divided into two phases involving reaction in liquid water and in steam. In general, it was found that the oxide layer formed was at first tightly adherent and later became thick and porous. The time between these two conditions depended on temperature, decreasing sharply as the melting point was approached. Upon melting, the oxide layer tended to act as a crucible containing the liquid metal. Under suitable conditions, the liquid would break out of its cage and oxidize very rapidly. When this occurred, the surrounding steam was slightly contaminated with the oxide.