Most exposures to beryllium that cause disease are related to beryllium processing. The major route of human exposure is through airborne particles of beryllium metal, alloys, oxides, and ceramics. Beryllium particles are inhaled into the lungs and upper respiratory tract. Hand-to-mouth exposures and skin contact with ultrafine particles can ...Web

Inhalation of beryllium (Be) has been associated with two pulmonary syndromes, which are an acute chemical pneumonitis and a granulomatous lung disease known as chronic beryllium disease (CBD), or berylliosis. In acute beryllium disease, the metal acts as a direct chemical irritant, causing a nonspecific inflammatory reaction …Web

Beryllium can be measured in the urine, blood, lung and skin samples. The amount of beryllium in blood or urine may not indicate how much or how recently you were exposed. A more specific blood test, the blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), identifies beryllium sensitization which may lead to chronic beryllium disease.Web

Beryllium exposure remains an ongoing occupational health concern for workers worldwide. Since the initial Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruling on a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium in 1971, our understanding of the risks of beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) has evolved substantially. …Web

The responsible employer must: ( 1) Ensure that beryllium-contaminated protective clothing and equipment, when removed for laundering, cleaning, maintenance, or disposal, is placed in containers that prevent the dispersion of beryllium dust and that are labeled in accordance with § 850.38 of this part; and.Web

Two distinct mechanisms of injury can result from beryllium exposure. In acute disease, high levels of beryllium exposure can result in inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract and airways, bronchiolitis, pulmonary edema, and chemical pneumonitis. (Kim 2004). Acute beryllium disease occurs less commonly than chronic beryllium ...Web

Overview Chronic beryllium disease, or CBD, causes scarring of the lung tissue. It occurs when a person inhales dust or fumes of beryllium — a naturally occurring lightweight …Web

Toxic pulmonary disease from beryllium exposure first came to light in the 1930s, soon after the emergence of industrial uses of beryllium alloys. An early manufacturing application for beryllium compounds, as phosphors in fluorescent tubes, was the cause of some of the first known cases of chronic beryllium disease (CBD) (first termed …Web

Beryllium disease is a lung inflammation caused by inhaling dust or fumes that contain beryllium. Most people with beryllium disease have gradual development of …Web

It is well established that beryllium causes sensitization (beryllium sensitization, BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). This chapter assesses the risk of those conditions posed by occupational exposure to beryllium. We first review the epidemiologic literature on BeS and CBD and then present the current clinical description of CBD with diagnostic, testing, …Web

Chronic beryllium disease causes progressive dyspnea, cough, and fatigue. Diagnosis is by history, beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, and biopsy. Treatment is with …Web

Acute and chronic beryllium disease are caused by inhalation of dust or fumes from beryllium compounds and products. Acute beryllium disease is now rare; chronic …Web

Berylliosis is a rare disease caused by prolonged exposure to the chemical element beryllium. Beryllium is a known carcinogen, or cancer causing agent, for both humans and animals, and it is commonly found in factory settings producing springs, gears, and cogs. Berylliosis occurs in 2 to 5% of workers exposed to beryllium and is a systemic ...Web

The BeLPT is a test that determines if the immune system reacts to beryllium as a foreign substance—this reaction results in an abnormal BeLPT. In individuals who are not sensitized to beryllium and do not have chronic beryllium disease (CBD), the immune system does not respond to beryllium in any manner, and they have normal BeLPT results.Web

Background and Health Impacts What is beryllium? How can exposure to beryllium affect workers' health? Who is at risk from exposure to beryllium? What is Chronic Beryllium …Web

will save the lives of 90 workers from beryllium related diseases and prevent 46 new cases of chronic beryllium disease once its full effects are realized. What is beryllium? Beryllium is a lightweight but extremely strong metal used in the aerospace, electronics, energy, telecommunications, medical, and defense industries. Beryllium-copper alloysWeb

Beryllium sensitization (BeS) is the activation of the body's immune response to beryllium, which can result from inhalation or skin exposure to beryllium dust, fume, mist or solutions. Once a worker is sensitized to beryllium, any subsequent inhalation exposure to beryllium puts them at risk of developing chronic beryllium disease (CBD).Web

Beryllium-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes from the lungs of CBD patients are associated with HLA-DP alleles possessing a glutamic acid in the 69 th position of the B1 chain of this molecule.[75–76] The DP alleles that present beryllium to disease-specific T cell lines match those implicated in disease susceptibility.Web

OSHA promulgated a STEL of 2.0 μg/m 3, as measured over a 15-minute sampling period, to help reduce the risk of beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in beryllium-exposed workers. OSHA also adopted an action level for airborne beryllium of 0.1 μg/m 3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.Web

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD), or berylliosis, is a granulomatous lung disease that results from beryllium exposure and sensitization and is due to an antigen-specific, cell-mediated immune …Web

Pathology. It is characterized by the development of granulomatous inflammation secondary to a cell-mediated immune response to beryllium. While it is a multisystem granulomatous disease, it predominantly involves the lungs. It is sometimes classified as a form of fibrotic pneumoconiosis as well as a type of pulmonary …Web

Patients who have early beryllium disease but do not yet have symptoms may not require treatment. However, they need to be medically monitored. Some people who are detected at the early stages may go many years without needing treatment. Patients with beryllium disease who have abnormal or deteriorating pulmonary functions are usually treated ...Web

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing inflammation, characteristic scars called granulomas and, in more severe cases, scarring called fibrosis. CBD is immune-mediated, meaning that CBD can develop only in individuals who have developed an immune response or "allergy" to beryllium …Web

However, As CBD develops, patients may notice shortness of breath with walking, climbing stairs or other physical activities, as well as a dry cough that will not go away. Some people may also experience fatigue, night sweats, chest and joint pain and loss of appetite as the disease progresses. For more information on beryllium, please …Web

Chronic beryllium disease is predominantly a pulmonary granulomatosis that was originally described in 1946. Symptoms usually include dyspnea and cough. Fever, anorexia, and weight loss are common. Skin lesions are the most common extrathoracic manifestation. Granulomatous hepatitis, hypercalcemia, and kidney stones can also occur.Web

The development of the human leukocyte antigen–DP2–transgenic murine model of chronic beryllium disease is a vital step in addressing many of the unanswered questions that have been impossible to address given the rarity of the disease. Along with decreasing workplace exposures to beryllium, we are hopeful that these future studies …Web

Introduction. Berylliosis, also known as chronic beryllium disease (CBD), is a granulomatous disease caused by exposure to beryllium. CBD has a variable clinical course with cough, fever, night …Web

Acute beryllium disease is a chemical pneumonitis causing diffuse parenchymal inflammatory infiltrates and nonspecific intra-alveolar edema. Acute beryllium disease is now rare because most industries have reduced exposure levels. Chronic beryllium disease continues to occur in industries that use beryllium and beryllium alloy.Web