Evaluation of a Preventive Program to Reduce Sensitization at a Beryllium Metal, Oxide, and Alloy Production Plant

Abstract

This preventive program reduced the prevalence of but did not eliminate beryllium sensitization.

Sensitization and chronic beryllium disease at a primary manufacturing facility, part 3: exposure–response among short-term workers

“…When we reanalyzed a subset of this latter cohort with ≤6 years tenure, prevalences were similar to the present survey: 9.2% BeS and 2.5% CBD (data not shown). Thus, prevalences had not changed in the intervening six years despite conventional engineering control efforts in previously identified higher-risk work processes (15).…”

“…Subsequent to the 1993-1994 survey, several changes were implemented at the facility, primarily in the beryllium metal pebbles extraction plant and oxide powder production areas (15). A second survey was conducted in 1999 in which the prevalence of BeS and CBD was ascertained.…”

Implications of Common and Special Variation for Occupational Health

“…The comprehensive exposure-control program interrupted the pathways via which beryllium reached workers' skin and lungs, with both rapid and substantial reduction in the rate of beryllium sensitization in newly hired workers. 10,[14][15][16] Refinements of implementation have contributed to further lowering of the beryllium-sensitization rate in newly hired workers.…”

Sensitization and chronic beryllium disease at a primary manufacturing facility, part 1: historical exposure reconstruction

“…Overall, the temporal factors ranged from 1-4.6, and the changes in exposure over time were generally stepwise and often corresponded to changes in the workplace (eg, implementation of controls or process enclosures) (19,20).…”

“…The general area data (N=76 349 for the years 1994-1999) were collected from 274 fixed locations within the 24 process areas (identified in table 1) across all production and selected non-production units. General area air samples were collected using three sampling methods including: high volume (200-400 Lpm), continuous (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), and low-flow (2 Lpm) sampling methods (14). While information on sampling methods was not available, sampling durations of the general area samples included: 1-5 days (4.5%), 10-24 hours (10%), 6-10 hours (76%), <6 hours (9.5%).…”