A method for the determination of beryllium in urine samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFAAS) has been developed. The background correction problem due to the sample matrix was overcome by solvent extraction step. Urine samples were digested with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids. Beryllium in solution was complexed with acetylacetone, extracted in chloroform at pH 8.5 and back extracted in 2%(v/v) nitric acid for final analysis by AAS. The range of concentrations of beryllium observed in urine samples covering both occupational and control subject was 0.03–0.37 ng Be/ml.