Workers worldwide are exposed everyday to beryllium in their work environments. A relatively small amount of people who work in industries where beryllium is mined, processed, machined, or converted into metal, alloys, and other chemicals may be exposed to high levels of beryllium. A much larger amount of workers are exposed to lower levels of beryllium in the aerospace, aircraft, electronics, and nuclear industries. Whether exposed to high levels or lower levels of beryllium, long-term exposure increases the risk of developing Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD).
Do you know if you have ever been exposed to beryllium in the workplace? The following is a list of jobs where workers may be potentially exposed to beryllium:
- Atomic energy industry (heat shields, nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons)
- Ceramic manufacturing (semi-conductor chips, ignition modules, crucibles, jet engine blades, rocket covers)
- Dental work (alloys and crowns, bridges, dental plates)
- Electronics (transistors, heat sinks, x-ray windows)
- Extraction (ore and scrap metal)
- Laboratory work (research and development, metallurgy, chemistry)
- Metal work (pure beryllium, copper and aluminum alloys, jet brake pads, aerospace components)
- Prior to 1951, beryllium was used in the fluorescent lamp industry
Chronic Beryllium Disease comes as a result of exposure to beryllium and often has symptoms that resemble those of other lung diseases, particularly the disease known as sarcoidosis. Once you have been exposed to beryllium you have a lifelong risk for developing CBD. If you have worked in a place where beryllium was used and you have developed any of the symptoms listed below, you should inform your healthcare professional of your potential beryllium exposure and seek medical advice.
- Blood in the sputum (sputum is saliva, mucus, and other discharges that can be coughed up from the respiratory system)
- Chest and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath with physical exertion
- Skin rash
- Unexplained coughing
- Weight loss
If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms it may be an indication that you are suffering from a disease related to beryllium exposure. Doctors may conduct a test to measure the amount of beryllium in your system. Beryllium can be measured in the urine and blood. Beryllium levels can also be measured in lung and skin samples. These tests are not usually available at your doctor's office, but your doctor can send the samples to a laboratory that can perform the tests. Another blood test, the blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), can identify beryllium sensitization and can help predict CBD.
If you have ever been exposed to beryllium and have developed an unexplained cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, or a skin rash, you should inform your doctor of your past beryllium exposure and seek medical advice about your condition.