HEALTH CONSULTATION
CABOT-WROUGHT PRODUCTS, DIVISION OF CABOT COPRORATION
(a.k.a. NGK METALS/CABOT BERYLCO, INCORPORATED)
MUHLENBERG, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) appears to be a hypersensitivity syndrome that is present in persons with a beryllium sensitivity. As with allergic syndromes generally, CBD is not expected to show a significant dose-response relationship. Thus, a beryllium-sensitive individual living near the site could have a reaction to the low levels of beryllium present in the off-site ambient air. However, as of 1983, there has been only one such case reported among individuals whose exposure began after 1950.
The NESHAP standard of 0.01 ug Be/m3 (based on a 30-day average) is set at a protective level
as opposed to a toxicity threshold. An inhalation exposure of either 0.08 ug/m3 (R-1) or 0.11
ug/m3 (Y-1) is not likely to pose a public health hazard over a 5-week period. The NESHAP's
limit of 0.01 ug/m3, defined as a 30-day average, has only been exceeded twice (both times in
1989) in the last 16 years. The limited exposure indicated in this data presents no public health hazard.
| Table 2. Maximum concentrations of beryllium (ug/m3) in off-site ambient air for years 1989-1994. | ||||
| YEAR | Y-1a (in-house) |
R-1b |
Comparison Value (CREG) ug/m3 |
NESHAPc off-site standard ug/m3 |
| 1989d | 0.11454 | 0.08143 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
| 1990e | 0.00374 | 0.00205 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
| 1991 | 0.00273 | 0.00109 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
| 1992 | 0.00409 | 0.00105 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
| 1993 | 0.00181 | 0.00099 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
| 1994f | 0.00055 | 0.00059 | 0.0004 | 0.01 |
a Analysis of ambient air monitor by NGK in-house
method
b Analysis of ambient air monitor by NGK contractor
method
c National Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants (off-site standard), based on 30 day average exposure
d Data available only for 3 Jan 1989 - 22
Aug 1989
e Data available only for 6 Feb 1990 - 2 Jan
1991
f Data available only for 4 Jan 1994 -
5 July 1994
ATSDR's Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide (CREG) represents the level corresponding to a
theoretical cancer risk level of one-in-a-million, assuming lifetime exposure and the absence of a
threshold for carcinogenic effects. Beryllium levels at the two monitors for the 5 week period
May 23-June 27, 1989 and the week of August 15 - 22, 1989 are the highest levels measured. All
other measurements were considerably lower, showing an overall decrease with time, and
approaching ATSDR's CREG in 1994 (see Table 2). ATSDR concludes that, under site-specific
conditions, this limited exposure to 0.11 ug/m3 presented in this data would not be expected to
cause any elevated incidence of cancer and is not a public health hazard.
ATSDR recognizes that children are different from adults when exposed to contamination in their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposure to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed for several reasons. First, children play outside more often than adults, increasing the likelihood that they will come into contact with chemicals in the environment. Because they are shorter than adults they breathe more dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Children are also smaller, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight. The developing body systems of children can sustain damage if toxic exposures occur during certain growth stages.
It is ATSDR's opinion that the levels of beryllium presented in this data are not likely to cause adverse health effects in children unless they have a hypersensitivity reaction to beryllium. However, if a parent or guardian has reason to believe that a child has been exposed to increased levels of beryllium and the child is experiencing symptoms (weight loss, cough, skin rashes, fatigue, chest and joint pain, and shortness of breathe), it is suggested that a board certified environmental/occupational physician or an Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinic (AOEC) be contacted to further evaluate the child.
An increase in childhood cancer incidence is not expected in children living nearby the site. The data reviewed identify increased ambient air beryllium levels for a total of 6 weeks in 1989 with an overall decrease since that time. ATSDR believes that the limited exposure presented in this data, coupled with the overall decrease in ambient air levels of beryllium, will not cause an increase in childhood cancer incidence.
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