NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:Beryllium |
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Beryllium is a light, hard, silver gray metal with unique properties such as strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion (Stonehouse and Zenczak, 1991). These properties have contributed to the use of the metal and its oxide in a wide variety of technological applications shown in Table 1 below (Weston et al., 2005). Recent estimates indicate that as many as 134,000 current workers in private industry and government may be exposed to beryllium in the United States (Henneberger et al., 2004). Some workers exposed to beryllium dusts and/or fumes may develop an immune response known as sensitization that can be detected in the blood with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). Sensitized workers may have or may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a slowly progressive respiratory disease characterized by the formation of lung lesions called granulomas. These granulomas and accompanying fibrosis cause impairment of the lung’s ability to expand fully and to oxygenate the blood. The rate of progression from less severe to severe disease can vary widely. There is no cure for CBD, although symptoms can be treated. Since 1998, NIOSH has been conducting research in collaboration with the leading producer of beryllium and beryllium-containing products in the United States. The goal of this research is to prevent sensitization and CBD by developing a better understanding of the work processes and exposures that may present a potential risk for workers, and to develop effective interventions that will reduce the risk for adverse health effects. NIOSH also conducts genetic research on sensitization and CBD, independently of this collaboration. NIOSHTIC-2 SearchNIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. NIOSHTIC-2 search results on beryllium Activities, Research, and StudiesBeryllium Research Highlights NIOSH ResourcesNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)
NIOSH Topic: Respirators Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH) NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)
NIOSH Criteria Documents
U.S. Governmental ResourcesToxicological Profile for Beryllium (ATSDR) OSHA Safety and Health Topic: Beryllium ReferencesStonehouse AJ, Zenczak S [1991]. Properties, production processes, and applications. In: Rossman MD, Preuss O, Powers MB, eds. Beryllium: biomedical and environmental aspects. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, pp. 276 – 655. Weston A, Snyder J, McCanlies EC, Schuler CR, Andrew ME, Kreiss K, Demchuk E [2005]. Immunogenetic factors in beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease. Mutat Res 592:68-78. Henneberger PK , Goe SK , Miller WE, Doney B, Groce DW [2004]. Industries in the United States with airborne beryllium exposure and estimates of the number of current workers potentially exposed. J Occup Environ Hyg 1:648-659 Uses and Properties of Beryllium (Table 1) *
* Ag: antigalling, Ca: castability, Co: electrical conductivity, Cr: corrosion resistant, D: use discontinued, Ds: dimensional stability, Er: electrical resistivity, Fo: formability, Hc: heat conductivity, Hr: heat resistant, Lw: light weight, Nm: neutron moderator, No: naturally occurring (as emerald and aquamarine), Ns: non-sparking, Sf: stiffness, Sp: springiness, St: strength, Wr: wear resistant, Xt: X-ray transparent. Page last updated:October 1, 2008
Page last reviewed:January 28, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Respiratory Disease Studies |
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