Machining risk of beryllium disease and sensitization with median exposures below 2 micrograms/m3.
We examined the prevalence of beryllium sensitization in relation to work process and beryllium exposure measurements in a beryllia ceramics plant that had operated since 1980. We interviewed 136 employees (97.8% of the workforce), ascertained beryllium sensitization with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation blood test, and reviewed historical industrial hygiene measurements. Of eight beryllium-sensitized employees (5.9%), six (4.4% of participating employees) had granulomatous disease on transbronchial lung biopsy. Machinists had a sensitization rate of 14.3% compared to a rate of 1.2% among other employees. Machining had significantly higher general area and breathing zone measurements than did other processes in the time period in which most beryllium-sensitized cases had started machining work. Daily weighted average (DWA) estimates of exposure for matching processes also exceeded estimates for other work processes in that time period, with a median DWA of 0.9 microgram/m3. Machining process DWAs accounted for the majority of DWAs exceeding the 2.0 micrograms/m3 OSHA standard, with 8.1% of machining DWAs above the standard. We conclude that lowering machining process-related exposures may be important to lowering risk of beryllium disease.
Kreiss
K
K
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Division, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver CO 80206, USA.
Mroz
M M
MM
Newman
L S
LS
Martyny
J
J
Zhen
B
B
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002516:Ceramics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D001608:Beryllium