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The Beryllium Health Surveillance Program (BHSP) was established to monitor beryllium (7440417) sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in employees at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site in Colorado. Beryllium exposure levels were estimated for the different buildings and jobs at Rocky Flats, with rankings given on a scale of 1 to 10 by Rocky Flats hygienists based on relative beryllium exposure risk. Lymphocyte proliferation tests (LPT) were performed to identify workers sensitized to beryllium. Personal breathing zone samples were obtained for all workers sensitized to beryllium or diagnosed with CBD. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather occupational, medical, and personal histories from all workers. Twenty nine workers were found to have CBD, and 76 were found to be sensitized to beryllium. Several of the workers with CBD held administrative positions, and were not subjected to direct beryllium exposures. The authors conclude that the BHSP has proven effective in gathering information on the beryllium exposure hazards encountered by workers at Rocky Flats, and has enabled the facility to design and implement programs for the management of beryllium sensitization and CBD.
Toxicology, 111(1-3):213-224, 1996. (17 references)
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