Beryllium sensitization and lung function among former workers at the Nevada Test Site.
BACKGROUND
Beryllium use at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) was not acknowledged until the late 1990's. Subsequently, the ongoing U.S. DOE funded medical screening program, which began in 1998, started testing former workers of the NTS for beryllium sensitization (BeS) in 2001 to identify individuals who may be at higher risk of developing chronic beryllium disease (CBD).


METHODS
An observational study was conducted to identify work-related factors associated with the odds of having BeS. Work history questionnaires were administered and principal components analysis was used to identify categories of related tasks associated with BeS.


RESULTS
Of the 1,786 former workers tested for BeS, 23 had a confirmed positive result. An increased risk of BeS was found among workers who performed cleanup (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.10, 6.56) and those who worked in Building B where beryllium parts were machined (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.02, 6.19), though no significant increased risk was found when categories of related tasks were used. Additionally, the number of years worked at the NTS was associated with increased risk of BeS. There was no difference in pulmonary function, chest X-ray abnormalities, or respiratory symptoms between those who were sensitized and normal.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of BeS among former workers of the NTS who participated in our screening program was 1.3%. Former workers who performed specific job tasks may be at greater risk of developing BeS.
Rodrigues
Ema G
EG
Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. er odrigu@bu.edu
McClean
Michael D
MD
Weinberg
Janice
J
Pepper
Lewis D
LD
D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008400:Mass Chest X-Ray; D008875:Middle Aged; D009505:Nevada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012306:Risk
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001608:Beryllium