Beryllium exposure: dermal and immunological considerations

Day, Gregory A.; Stefaniak, Aleksandr B.; Weston, Ainsley; Tinkle, Sally S.

doi:10.1007/s00420-005-0024-0

Cited by 52 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Such sensitization by the dermal route is consistent with development of abnormal blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests prior to development of granulomatous lung disease. Presumably, lung disease in a sensitized person would require a lung burden of beryllium against which lung lymphocytes would mount a granulomatous response (6). Sensitization without a lung burden may not lead to chronic beryllium disease.…”

Section: Dermal Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Beryllium: A Modern Industrial Hazard

Kreiss

Day²,

Schuler³

2007

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Beryllium exposure can cause a granulomatous lung disease in workers who develop a lymphocyte-mediated sensitization to the metal. Workers in diverse industries are at risk because beryllium's properties are critical to nuclear, aerospace, telecommunications, electronic, metal alloy, biomedical, and semiconductor industries. The occupational air concentration standard's failure to protect beryllium workers is driving many scientific and occupational health advances. These developments include study of bioavailability of different physicochemical forms of beryllium, medical surveillance to show effectiveness of skin protection in preventing sensitization in high-risk processes, gene-environment interaction, transgenic mice for use in experimental research, and risk-based management of industrial exposures in the absence of effective exposure-response information. Beryllium sensitization and disease prevention are paradigms for much broader public health action in both occupational and general population settings.

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Section: Dermal Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Beryllium: A Modern Industrial Hazard

Kreiss

Day²,

Schuler³

2007

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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“…Evaluation of resulting health effects from skin exposure to these and other sensitizing agents has largely focused on allergic dermatitis; however, emerging evidence suggests that the skin is an important route of exposure that leads to respiratory disease upon subsequent inhalation exposures (Day et al, 2006;Bello et al, 2007;Redlich and Herrick, 2008). Thus, the understanding of occupational skin exposures to multiple metal sensitizers remains poor and there is little methodological guidance in terms of the assessment of such exposures, the combined toxicological mechanisms or risk to health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of exposures among cemented tungsten carbide workers. Part II: Assessment of surface contamination and skin exposures to cobalt, chromium and nickel

Day

Virji

Stefaniak

2008

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Cobalt, chromium and nickel are among the most commonly encountered contact allergens in the workplace, all used in the production of cemented tungsten carbides (CTC). Exposures to these metal-containing dusts are frequently associated with skin sensitization and/or development of occupational asthma. The objectives of this study were to assess the levels of cobalt, chromium and nickel on work surfaces and on workers' skin in three CTC production facilities. At least one worker in each of 26 work areas (among all facilities) provided hand and neck wipe samples. Wipe samples were also collected from work surfaces frequently contacted by the 41 participating workers. Results indicated that all surfaces in all work areas were contaminated with cobalt and nickel, with geometric means (GMs) ranging from 4.1 to 3057 mg/100 cm 2 and 1.1-185 mg/100 cm 2 , respectively; most surfaces were contaminated with chromium (GM ¼ 0.36-67 mg/100 cm 2 ). The highest GM levels of all metals were found on control panels, containers and hand tools, whereas lowest levels were on office and telecommunication equipment. The highest GM levels of cobalt and nickel on skin were observed among workers in the powder-handling facility (hands: 388 and 24 mg; necks: 55 and 6 mg, respectively). Levels of chromium on workers' skin were generally low among all facilities. Geometric standard deviations associated with surface and skin wipe measurements among work areas were highly variable. Exposure assessment indicated widespread contamination of multiple sensitizing metals in these three facilities, suggesting potential transfer of contaminants from surfaces to skin. Specific action, including improved housekeeping and training workers on appropriate use and care of personal protective equipment, should be implemented to reduce pathways of skin exposure. Epidemiologic studies of associated adverse health effects will likely require more biologically relevant exposure metrics to improve the ability to detect exposure-response relationships.

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“…This is an antigen-specific, cell-mediated immune response characterized by a T-helper 1 lymphocyte response [Day et al, 2006]. CBD is a slowly progressive disease in which granulomas are formed in the lungs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%