title: A study on the beryllium lymphocyte transformation test and the beryllium levels in working environment.
abstract: The relationship between airborne concentration of beryllium in the working environment and workers' beryllium lymphocyte transformation test (Be-LTT) values was examined based on data obtained from a four-year survey (1992-1995) conducted at beryllium-copper alloy manufacturing factories. This study showed that the T cells of workers continuously exposed to beryllium of more than 0.01 microgram/m3 could be activated and that the cell-mediated immune response of workers could be promoted. On the other hand, the Be-LTT of workers exposed to beryllium levels of less than 0.01 microgram/m3 was shown to be unaffected by beryllium. These findings suggest that beryllium sensitization is not manifested when level of beryllium in working environment are less than 0.01 microgram/m3. Therefore, in such cases workers do not develop Chronic beryllium disease (CBD). We concluded that the Be-LTT can be applied as a medical indicator to detect the development of CBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagaoka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniwaki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001608:Beryllium