Beryllium sensitization in aluminum smelter workers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether beryllium-related disease exists among aluminum smelter workers.


METHODS
A total of 1278 employees from four aluminum smelters determined to have significant beryllium exposure based on 5 years of sampling were invited to participate in medical surveillance that included a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, spirometry, and blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test.


RESULTS
Of these, 734 employees participated in the program. Beryllium exposure from 965 personal samples ranged from 0.002 to 13.00 microg/m time-weighted average, with a median of 0.05 microg/m, geometric mean of 0.05 microg/m, and arithmetic mean of 0.22 microg/m. Only two employees had confirmed beryllium sensitization (0.27%).


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence of beryllium sensitization among aluminum smelter workers. When compared with beryllium-exposed workers in other industries, aluminum smelter workers had lower rates of sensitization. The low beryllium sensitization rate observed may be related to work practices and the properties of the beryllium found in this work environment.
Taiwo
Oyebode A
OA
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program,Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Oyebode.taiwo@yale.edu
Slade
Martin D
MD
Cantley
Linda F
LF
Fiellin
Martha G
MG
Wesdock
James C
JC
Bayer
Felicia J
FJ
Cullen
Mark R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000097:blood; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D000535:Aluminum; D001608:Beryllium