Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease

During my time at National Jewish Health in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences I was able to learn a great deal on beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).

Beryllium is an element that is used in the airplane, automobile and aerospace industry, nuclear receptors, computers, phones, and dental fillings, crown and implants. The individuals that work in these industries can be exposed to beryllium and are at an increased risk for health effects associated with beryllium. Exposure to beryllium particles in the workplace can come from inhaling small beryllium particles produced by drilling, sanding or grinding a part with beryllium in it or from skin contact with these particles or contaminated surfaces.

Beryllium sensitization is an allergy to beryllium and causes no symptoms. Individuals are tested for beryllium sensitization using a beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). The BeLPT tests the patient’s lymphocytic reaction to differing concentrations and incubation times with beryllium. If the patient’s lymphocytes proliferate when exposed to beryllium it is considered abnormal and indicates the possibility of beryllium sensitization. Individuals with beryllium sensitization are at an increased risk for developing chronic beryllium disease.

The symptoms of chronic beryllium disease include: shortness of breath, cough, sweating at night and fatigue. As these symptoms are vague, chronic beryllium disease can often be misdiagnosed if a BeLPT is not performed. The symptoms of chronic beryllium disease are generally caused by granulomas in the lung tissue causing scar tissue to thicken the walls of the alveoli making it difficult for gas exchange to occur.

Unfortunately there is no cure for beryllium sensitization or chronic beryllium disease. The treatment of beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease depend on the symptoms. As beryllium sensitization and mild cases of chronic beryllium disease have no symptoms there is no treatment. For more severe symptoms of chronic beryllium disease the use of inhaled bronchodilators, prednisone or other steroids and inhaled oxygen are used.