Beryllium–Related Diseases

Workers exposed to beryllium are at risk of developing serious‚ debilitating diseases. Chronic beryllium disease (CBD or berylliosis) is a painful scarring of the lung tissue. Less common than CBD‚ acute (short—term) beryllium disease causes lung inflammation resembling pneumonia. In severe cases‚ both diseases may be fatal.

The Department of Health and Human Services‚ the Environmental Protection Agency‚ and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider beryllium to be carcinogenic. Various studies implicate beryllium in lung cancer. Individuals with a history of beryllium exposure who develop lung cancer should be evaluated to determine if beryllium played a role in causing the cancer.

Chronic beryllium disease (berylliosis or CBD)

CBD victims first develop “beryllium sensitization”‚ which is an allergic response to beryllium. Symptoms of the disease include cough‚ shortness of breath‚ fatigue‚ fevers‚ skin rash‚ and night sweats. In the later stages‚ lung tissue becomes scarred. In severe cases‚ the right side of the heart may be strained due to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery from lung damage. (Beryllium‚ a Chronic Problem‚ Environmental Health Perspectives; Diseases Due to Inorganic Dusts‚ Merck Manual).

The average time from first beryllium exposure to the development of CBD symptoms (the latency period) can be a few months or as long as forty years (Medfacts‚ National Jewish Medical & Research Center). Once a person has been exposed to beryllium‚ there is a lifelong risk of developing the disease.

Testing for CBD includes the use of chest x—rays and blood tests. Although it can be treated‚ CBD can not be cured.

Acute beryllium disease

Acute beryllium disease (ABD) is caused by breathing in relatively high concentrations of beryllium in dust and metal fumes (Beryllium‚ a Chronic Problem‚ Environmental Health Perspectives). Symptoms associated with ABD include difficulty breathing‚ cough‚ and chest pain.

ABD usually occurs within months of exposure and resembles pneumonia or bronchitis‚ causing reddening or swelling of the lungs (Medfacts‚ National Jewish Medical & Research Center). It is much less common than CBD.

Skin Irritation

Skin irritation is another potential beryllium—related health problem. Exposure to beryllium dust or soluble compounds may cause a skin disease which is characterized by poor wound healing and wart—like bumps. A skin rash may also be one of the early symptoms of CBD or berylliosis.

Beryllium particles may become embedded in skin that has been scraped or cut‚ resulting in skin ulcers. Beryllium particles must be removed if the skin wounds are to have any chance of healing.