KANSAS CITY, MO — September 9, 2005 — A woman with chronic beryllium disease is suing her husband’s employer, Honeywell International (Kansas City Star, August 30, 2005). Patricia Stark says that she contracted the illness through washing her husband’s beryllium–contaminated clothes.

Mr. Stark works as a machinist at a Kansas City plant that processes beryllium copper alloys to make parts for nuclear weapons. A blood test indicated that he is sensitive to beryllium, which means that he is likely to develop chronic beryllium disease.

What is Chronic Beryllium Disease and How Is It Diagnosed?

Chronic beryllium disease or berylliosis is an illness that damages or scars the lung tissue, resulting in shortness of breath and chest pain. It limits everyday activities and may stress the heart. Although taking steroids may decrease the lung inflammation caused by chronic beryllium disease, the condition is incurable at this time.

Mr. Stark took the blood test known as the “beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test” or BeLPT. It examines how disease–fighting cells involved in immune responses, called lymphocytes, react to beryllium. If the lymphocytes react strongly to beryllium, then the BeLPT is called abnormal and indicates “beryllium sensitization,” an allergic reaction to beryllium.

Beryllium sensitization precedes the development of chronic beryllium disease in susceptible workers. Beryllium disease can occur from about three months to 30 or 40 years after beryllium exposure.

Beryllium Exposure Risks

Machinists who work with beryllium or beryllium alloys are at high risk for beryllium exposure because they perform activities such as grinding, sanding, and polishing, that allow the escape of beryllium dust. Once beryllium dust gets into the air, workers may inhale the toxic particles. The beryllium particles then become lodged in their lungs, ready to do damage.

Co–workers, support or maintenance staff at a plant using beryllium may also be exposed to beryllium. For example, security guards have shown evidence of beryllium exposure (Am Rev Respir Dis. 1993 Oct; 148 (4 Pt 1): 985–91).

Like Mrs. Stark, family members can be exposed to beryllium while shaking out and washing dusty beryllium–laden clothes. A worker may also track beryllium into the home on his or her shoes.

Even small amounts of beryllium can do great harm. The legal beryllium exposure limit in private industry is 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air during an 8–hour shift. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has admitted that the 2 microgram level “may not be adequate to prevent the occurrence of chronic beryllium disease” (OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin, September 2, 1999).

Besides machinists who make nuclear parts, people in other jobs and industries may be at high risk for beryllium exposure. The list includes dental technicians who polish beryllium–containing dental alloys, certain hot press operators‚ and welders who work with beryllium materials. Beryllium exposure hazards also exist at aerospace, computer, and electronics companies. The metal is used in cathode ray tubes, x–ray windows, ceramics for electronics, special non–sparking tools, and even in some sports equipment.

At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned about the effects of beryllium exposure on workers and their families. We have successfully handled cases involving beryllium and other toxic substances for over 20 years, and have earned an excellent national reputation in this legal field. If you have been exposed to beryllium and developed chronic beryllium disease, please feel free to contact us to learn about your legal options.