Chronic Beryllium Disease: Work Environment Management

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium at 2 micrograms per cubic meter in an 8-hour period. This is roughly equivalent to an amount of beryllium dust the size of a pencil tip spread across an area the length of a football field, 8 feet high. This standard has been shown to be inadequate to prevent beryllium sensitization and CBD ^1,2,3, and many in the beryllium community and at OSHA are currently working to establish a lower limit in the workplace.

Because we do not know of a definite "safe" level of exposure below which sensitization and disease do not occur, it is important to limit beryllium exposure to the lowest level possible.

In the workplace, you should:

• substitute another product for beryllium if at all possible;

• avoid dry sweeping of work areas;

• use proper exhaust ventilation and equipment;

• minimize the number of individuals who have access to areas where beryllium is used;

• ensure respirators fit properly and are used appropriately;

• change clothes before leaving the beryllium area and work facility; and

• ensure employees receive regular training on the proper handling of beryllium, as well as the hazards of beryllium exposure.

References

1. Kreiss K, Mroz MM, Newman LS, Martyny J, Zhen B. Machining risk of beryllium disease and sensitization with median exposures below 2 mg/m ³ . Am J Indust Med 1996; 30:16-25.

2. Yoshida T, Shima S, Nagaoka K et al. A study on the Beryllium Lymphocyte Transformation Test and the beryllium levels in working environment. Ind Health 1997; 35:374-379.
3. Cullen M, et al. Chronic beryllium disease in a precious metal refinery: clinical, epidemiologic, and immunologic evidence for continuing risk from exposure to low-level beryllium fume. Am Rev Respir Dis 1987; 135:201-208.