title: Sensitization and chronic beryllium disease at a primary manufacturing facility, part 3:         exposure-response among short-term workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exposure-response relations for beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease         (CBD) using aerosol mass concentration have been inconsistent, although process-related risks found in most studies         suggest that exposure-dependent risks exist. We examined exposure-response relations using personal exposure         estimates in a beryllium worker cohort with limited work tenure to minimize exposure misclassification.
  
  
  METHODS
  The         population comprised workers employed in 1999 with six years or less tenure. Each completed a work history         questionnaire and was evaluated for immunological sensitization and CBD. A job-exposure matrix was combined with work         histories to create individual estimates of average, cumulative, and highest-job-worked exposure for total, respirable,         and submicron beryllium mass concentrations. We obtained odds ratios from logistic regression models for         exposure-response relations, and evaluated process-related risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participation was 90.7% (264/291         eligible). Sensitization prevalence was 9.8% (26/264), with 6 sensitized also diagnosed with CBD (2.3%, 6/264). A         general pattern of increasing sensitization prevalence was observed as exposure quartile increased. Both total and         respirable beryllium mass concentration estimates were positively associated with sensitization (average and highest         job), and CBD (cumulative). Increased sensitization prevalence was identified in metal/oxide production, alloy melting         and casting, and maintenance, and for CBD in melting and casting. Lower sensitization prevalence was observed in         plant-area administrative work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitization was associated with average and highest job exposures, and         CBD was associated with cumulative exposure. Both total and respirable mass concentrations were relevant predictors of         risk. New process-related risks were identified in melting and casting and maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Field Studies Branch, NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. cschuler@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Christine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.forename: M Abbas
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Virji
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Deubner
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: Aleksandr B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Stefaniak
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kreiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000633:toxicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001608:Beryllium