Document Detail


Beryllium medical surveillance at a former nuclear weapons facility during cleanup operations.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15354061     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Despite increasing need to remediate beryllium-contaminated buildings in industry, little is known about the magnitude of risk associated with beryllium abatement or the merits of beryllium medical surveillance for cleanup workers. We examined beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests and reviewed medical evaluations on workers at a nuclear weapons facility during the process of decontamination and decommissioning. Of 2,221 workers, 19 (0.8%) were beryllium sensitized based on two or more abnormal beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests. Eight of 19 sensitized individuals underwent full clinical evaluation, of whom two were diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Notably, seven beryllium sensitized and CBD cases were hired after the start of cleanup operations. Beryllium medical surveillance detects sensitization and CBD in cleanup workers. Exposure controls and medical surveillance need to be 'broad-based' to include all cleanup workers involved in beryllium-contaminated building remediation.
Authors:
Holly M Sackett; Lisa A Maier; Lori J Silveira; Margaret M Mroz; Lorraine G Ogden; James R Murphy; Lee S Newman
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine     Volume:  46     ISSN:  1076-2752     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Occup. Environ. Med.     Publication Date:  2004 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-09-08     Completed Date:  2004-11-02     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9504688     Medline TA:  J Occup Environ Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  953-61     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO 80206, USA. SackettH@njc.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Berylliosis / diagnosis,  epidemiology*,  immunology
Beryllium / analysis*
Chi-Square Distribution
Colorado / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Lymphocyte Activation
Male
Middle Aged
Nuclear Warfare*
Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
Population Surveillance
Respiratory Hypersensitivity / diagnosis,  epidemiology*,  etiology*,  immunology
Risk
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
7440-41-7/Beryllium

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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