Possible health risks from low level exposure to beryllium

Stange, Arthur W.; Hilmas, Duane E.; Furman, F. Joseph

doi:10.1016/0300-483x(96)03378-1

Cited by 49 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The number of U.S. workers ever exposed to beryllium is thus likely to far exceed the estimate above, including approximately 250,000 construction workers at nuclear weapons reclamation sites alone. Workers with former beryllium exposure have been identified as sensitized and diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease years after beryllium exposures have ceased (27,32,60,62,73).…”

Section: Extent Of Public Health Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beryllium: A Modern Industrial Hazard

Kreiss

Day²,

Schuler³

2007

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Beryllium exposure can cause a granulomatous lung disease in workers who develop a lymphocyte-mediated sensitization to the metal. Workers in diverse industries are at risk because beryllium's properties are critical to nuclear, aerospace, telecommunications, electronic, metal alloy, biomedical, and semiconductor industries. The occupational air concentration standard's failure to protect beryllium workers is driving many scientific and occupational health advances. These developments include study of bioavailability of different physicochemical forms of beryllium, medical surveillance to show effectiveness of skin protection in preventing sensitization in high-risk processes, gene-environment interaction, transgenic mice for use in experimental research, and risk-based management of industrial exposures in the absence of effective exposure-response information. Beryllium sensitization and disease prevention are paradigms for much broader public health action in both occupational and general population settings.

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Section: Extent Of Public Health Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beryllium: A Modern Industrial Hazard

Kreiss

Day²,

Schuler³

2007

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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“…CBD has a typical latency period of about 20 years (range from a few years to 30 or more years) [89,90], so former exposures still are cause for concern. In Germany, for example, only very few persons nowadays develop CBD that is approved and compensated as occupational disease.…”

Section: R Klein Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There seems to be an exposure level below which sensitization to beryllium seems not to occur [63,96,[101][102][103][104][105]. The percentage of sensitized cases that evolve to CBD cases is not known, but some experts, admitting uncertainty, report as high as between 50-90 % [90,106]. 7-11 % of the sensitized individuals will develop CBD within the following year.…”

Section: Relation Of Beltt and Cbdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic relevance of the lymphocyte transformation test for sensitization to beryllium and other metals (IUPAC Technical Report)

Klein¹,

Schwenk²,

Heinrich‐Ramm³

et al. 2004

Pure and Applied Chemistry

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The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) has been proven useful especially in the diagnosis of drug-induced allergic disorders. It is an in vitro test which is based on the fact that lymphocytes, which have been sensitized by a certain antigen, transform into blasts and proliferate when they are again exposed to this antigen. This proliferation is determined by measurement of the incorporation of [3H ]-thymidine or bromodeoxyuridine into replicating DNA. The test has the advantage over skin tests of avoiding re-exposure of individuals, and it was, therefore, hoped that it may also help to diagnose metal allergies and especially sensitization toward beryllium. However, the LTT measures only the sensitization of lymphocytes, but not the effector reaction, i.e., there may be positive results in exposed individuals even in the absence of clinical symptoms. There are several reports evaluating the LTT toward gold salts (Au), amalgam (Hg), nickel (Ni), beryllium (Be), and several other metals. With metals other than Be, the LTT appears to be of little use. In contrast, the LTT with Be may, indeed, define patients at risk of developing chronic beryllium disease (CBD), which affects mainly the respiratory tract and may even cause death. Beryllium sensitization progresses to CBD at a rate of 7-11 % per year. Since the Be-LTT can detect sensitization in workers who have not yet developed a disease it is an important diagnostic tool to detect individuals at risk. In conclusion, the LTT can detect a cell-mediated immunological response of an individual to metals. However, for most metals its usefulness is questionable, with the exception of Be; a positive Be-LTT can identify not only patients with CBD, but also persons at risk of developing CBD in later years.

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“…CBD results from a hypersensitivity reaction to beryllium (Stange et al 1996) that enters the body primarily through inhalation of beryllium dusts, mists, or fumes. Exposure to beryllium causes lung disease in 2 to 6% of all workers in industries where airborne beryllium is generated (National Jewish Medical and Research Center 1998).…”

Section: Hazards Of Berylliummentioning

confidence: 99%