Cumulative sensitization and disease in a beryllium oxide ceramics worker cohort.
OBJECTIVE
We followed a cohort of 136 beryllium oxide ceramics workers from 1992 to 2003, including those who left employment, for beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).


METHODS
We invited the cohort's participation in current worker surveys in 1992, 1998, 2000, and 2002-2003, and in former worker surveys in 2000-2001 and 2003. We calculated 11-year cumulative incidences (after 1992 initial survey) of sensitization and CBD, both crude and corrected for interval censoring; and period prevalences (including 1992 findings), crude and corrected.


RESULTS
In 1992, point prevalences were 6% sensitized and 4% CBD. We obtained follow-up on 83% of 128 not sensitized in 1992. Crude cumulative incidences for sensitization and CBD were 13% and 9%, respectively; corrected were 15% and 11%. Crude period prevalences for sensitization and CBD were 16% and 11%, respectively; corrected were 20% and 14%. Corrected period prevalences for pre-1992 machining work were 30% and 20%.


CONCLUSIONS
With repeated testing over 11 years, total sensitization and CBD in this cohort were triple initial 1992 survey results.
Schuler
Christine R
CR
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Field Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WVa 26505, USA. christine.schuler@cdc.hhs.gov
Kitt
Margaret M
MM
Henneberger
Paul K
PK
Deubner
David C
DC
Kreiss
Kathleen
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D002516:Ceramics; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
C032777:beryllium oxide; D001608:Beryllium