Beryllium Exposure: Dermal and Immunological Considerations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Day, Gregory A. ; Stefaniak, Aleksandr B. ; Tinkle SS ; Weston A
• Description:
  People exposed to beryllium compounds are at increased risk of developing beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). The purpose of this short communication is to present information regarding the potential importance of skin exposure to beryllium, an exposure and alternate immune response pathway to the respiratory tract, which has been largely overlooked in epidemiologic and exposure assessment studies. We reviewed the published literature, including epidemiologic, immunologic, genetic, and laboratory-based studies of in vivo and in vitro models, to assess the state of knowledge concerning skin exposure to beryllium. Reduction in inhalation exposure to beryllium has not resulted in a concomitant reduction in the occurrence of beryllium sensitization or CBD, suggesting that continued prevalence may be due, in part, to unchecked skin exposure to beryllium-containing particles. Recent developments in our understanding of the multiple exposure pathways that may lead to beryllium sensitization and CBD suggest that a prudent approach to worker protection is to assess and minimize both skin and inhalation exposures to beryllium. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Beryllium Environmental Monitoring Genetics Hypersensitivity Immune System Laboratories Occupational Health Respiratory System Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Skin

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Beryllium Compounds Beryllium-compounds Exposure-assessment Exposure Assessment Methods Genetic-factors Genetic Factors Immune-reaction In-vitro-studies In-vivo-studies Inhalation-studies Laboratory-testing Risk-analysis Risk-factors Sensitization Skin-exposure Skin Exposure

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• ISSN:
  0340-0131
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  North Carolina ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies ; HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  161-164
• Volume:
  79
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20029265
• Citation:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2006 Feb; 79(2):161-164
• Contact Point Address:
  Gregory A. Day, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Mailstop 2703, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888
• Email:
  gdd2@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Beryllium (CAS RN 7440-41-7) ; Beryllium fluoride (BeF2) (CAS RN 7787-49-7) ; Beryllium oxide (CAS RN 1304-56-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• NORA Priority Area:
  Research Tools and Approaches: Exposure Assessment Methods
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:53668caca01a3f5e837e31bcc3059405a287a5f1e8796a3068874c95f847b7d3a89b0f6b6d7c28520219d28a8b3c3737f74bb04146e24c1884fc28190108984c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/190293/cdc_190293_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 185.16 KB ]