Annals of Occupational Hygiene Advance Access originally published online on July 14, 2006
Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2007 51(1):67-80; doi:10.1093/annhyg/mel041
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Exposure Pathway Assessment at a Copper–Beryllium Alloy Facility
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
2 McGill University, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, Montréal Québec H3A 2A7, Canada
3 Brush Wellman Incorporated, Elmore OH 43416, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1-304-285-6387; fax: +1-304-285-6321; e-mail: GDay{at}cdc.gov
Controlling beryllium inhalation exposures to comply with regulatory levels (2 µg m–3 of air) does not appear to prevent beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Additionally, it has proven difficult to establish a clear inhalation exposure–response relationship for beryllium sensitization and CBD. Thus, skin may be an important route of exposure that leads to beryllium sensitization. A 2000 survey had identified prevalence of sensitization (7%) and CBD (4%) in a beryllium alloy facility. An improved particulate migration control program, including dermal protection in production areas, was completed in 2002 at the facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate levels of beryllium in workplace air, on work surfaces, on cotton gloves worn by employees over nitrile gloves, and on necks and faces of employees subsequent to implementation of the program. Over a 6 day period, we collected general area air samples (n = 10), wipes from routinely handled work surfaces (n = 252), thin cotton glove samples (n = 113) worn by employees, and neck wipes (n = 109) and face wipes (n = 109) from the same employees. In production, production support and office areas geometric mean (GM) levels of beryllium were 0.95, 0.59 and 0.05 µg per 100 cm2 on work surfaces; 42.8, 73.8 and 0.07 µg per sample on cotton gloves; 0.07, 0.09 and 0.003 µg on necks; and 0.07, 0.12 and 0.003 µg on faces, respectively. Correlations were strong between beryllium in air and on work surfaces (r = 0.79), and between beryllium on cotton gloves and on work surfaces (0.86), necks (0.87) and faces (0.86). This study demonstrates that, even with the implementation of control measures to reduce skin contact with beryllium as part of a comprehensive workplace protection program, measurable levels of beryllium continue to reach the skin of workers in production and production support areas. Based on our current understanding of the multiple exposure pathways that may lead to sensitization, we support prudent control practices such as use of protective gloves to minimize skin exposure to beryllium salts and fine particles.
Keywords: beryllium sensitization • chronic beryllium disease • dermal exposure • exposure methods • particle migration