Question: Can I return to work?

Answer: Your ability to return to work after you've been diagnosed with beryllium sensitization or CBD depends on several factors, including your overall health and the type of work you do. Many individuals with CBD are able to resume a normal work schedule at their current job or a different one, as the disease, and its symptoms, progresses slowly.

 

Question: Can I still work with or around beryllium?

Answer: While there is no known "safe" level of exposure, at least one study ¹ has suggested that exposures below 0.01 microgram per cubic meter as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) may be safe for both sensitized and diseased workers. It is not known at the present time whether removal from beryllium exposure changes the risk of developing CBD for a person with beryllium sensitization. It is also not known if removal from beryllium exposure will significantly change the course of illness for people with CBD.  Nonetheless, physicians consider it "prudent" for individuals with beryllium sensitization and CBD to minimize their exposure to airborne beryllium. It is recommended that individuals with BeS and CBD who continue to work in a beryllium industry have exposure to no more than 0.01 micrograms per cubic meter of beryllium as an 8 hour time-weighted average (the time in a normal work day).

 

Question: What if my employer can't accommodate my restrictions?

Answer: Your employer's ability to accommodate your restrictions will depend on several factors, including the type of work you are trained to do, the availability of positions in the company that do not involve beryllium exposure, and the type of facility you work at. If you work in a Department of Energy facility and are part of a beryllium medical surveillance program, your employer is required to minimize your exposure to beryllium, or to find a different position for you within the facility, if one is available (for more information, please see http://www.eh.doe.gov/be/). If you work at a facility or at a company where no other positions are available, you may need to consider a different occupation. This can sometimes be difficult or upsetting, and you may find it helpful to speak with a vocational counselor or to consult a beryllium support group (for more information on beryllium support groups).

 

Question: Should I file a worker's compensation claim?

Answer: Filing a worker's compensation claim may assist you in recovering lost wages and in obtaining future medical care. You should check with your state worker's compensation office about laws governing payment of benefits, as each state has different rules. If you worked for a beryllium vendor or for a Department of Energy contractor, you may be eligible for a federal compensation program, the Energy Employees Illness Compensation Program, administered by the Department of Labor.  For additional information on this program, please see below.

 

Question: What is the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act?

Answer: The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, or EEOICPA, is a law passed by Congress in 2000. The Act established a program to provide medical care to current or former Department of Energy workers (including those who worked for certain DOE contractors and beryllium vendors) who developed beryllium sensitization or CBD as a result of their employment at these facilities. Under the program, individuals with beryllium sensitization are entitled to lifetime medical care related to their condition. Individuals with CBD are entitled to a lump sum payment of $150,000, in addition to lifetime medical care related to their disease. 

 

Question: Can I still participate in my favorite activities?

Answer: At National Jewish Health, we seek to manage your care in a way that you can maintain your normal lifestyle as much as possible. We encourage you to continue to participate in your favorite hobbies and activities, or even try some new ones.

 

Question: Should I exercise?

Answer: Exercise is an important part of maintaining your health and lung function. Regular exercise can help improve shortness of breath, strengthen your heart and muscles, decrease your blood pressure, and even improve your mood. It is important to talk with your physician before starting an exercise program.

 

Question: Will smoking make my disease worse?

Answer: If you smoke cigarettes, it is important to stop. If you develop a smoking-related lung disease, such as emphysema, along with CBD, it can result in more damage to your lungs and be difficult to treat both diseases. Since both tobacco and beryllium are carcinogens, it is important to eliminate exposure to both beryllium and cigarette smoke. 

 

Question: Can I donate blood if I have beryllium sensitization or CBD?

Answer: The chances of transmitting the T lymphocytes (cells that can trigger CBD) from one person to another through blood transfusion are astronomically low. Nonetheless, some blood banks may be hesitant to accept blood from patients with beryllium sensitization or disease.  You should check with your physician and local blood bank before donating blood.

 

Question: If I have beryllium sensitization or CBD and become pregnant, can I pass it to my unborn child?

Answer: There have been no reports of sensitization or disease among infants born to mothers exposed to beryllium or who have beryllium sensitization or CBD ². There have not been many studies specifically examining this question, but past research has indicated sensitization and CBD is very unlikely to occur in this manner.

 

References

1. 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.

2. Mroz MM, Balkissoon R, Newman LS . Beryllium. In: Bingham E, Cohrssen B, Powell C (eds.) Patty's Toxicology, Fifth Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons 2001, 177-220.