Work should take place in a safe and healthy working environment; work conditions should be consistent with workers’ well-being and human dignity; work should offer real possibilities for personal achievement, self-fulfillment, and service to society.- International Labor Organization (ILO)
Sometimes, our work exposes us to illness-inducing factors. Occupational disease occurs when a job causes sickness- This affects individuals handling hazardous chemicals or working in adverse conditions. Recognizing job-induced illnesses is crucial for providing proper treatment and support. Key considerations include attributing the disease to work-related factors and observing a higher illness rate among workers in conditions similar to the general population.
The ILO has a long history of identifying diseases as occupational in origin for their prevention and compensation. In 1919, the ILO declared anthrax and lead poisoning occupational diseases at the first International Labour Conference.
Diseases caused by beryllium or its compounds
General characteristics of the causal agent
Beryllium is a very light and strong metal with many valuable properties, including resistance to heat and corrosion. It is also non-magnetic, which makes it useful in some electronic devices. However, it can react with some chemicals, like acids, so users need to handle it carefully. In the past, people sometimes called beryllium glucinium because it had a sweet taste when dissolved in water.
Beryllium is a chemical element in the environment that is part of other compounds. The most common sources of beryllium are beryl and bertrandite. Some beryl minerals, like aquamarine and emerald, are used as precious gemstones. Beryllium is extracted from beryl and bertrandite in the USA, China, and Kazakhstan using chemicals and high temperatures.
The chemical industry uses Beryllium compounds as catalysts, and the ceramic sector uses Beryllium oxide to make ceramic materials with electrical properties in high-tech applications. Typically, producers obtain beryllium metal by electrolyzing or thermally reducing magnesium. This metal is commonly used in alloys to enhance strength. Still, the electronic industry no longer uses it in fluorescent lamps.
Beryllium copper, a typical metal alloy in various industries, results from blending copper with a small quantity of beryllium. This alloy showcases corrosion resistance, high strength, and elasticity. Industries use it to craft components enduring heavy wear, such as bearings, gears, car springs, and electrical elements like switches, connectors, and relays.
Industries that require high-quality materials, like aerospace, electronics, and defense, use beryllium-copper alloys for their products. It is also used in non-sparking tools, casts for molding metal, glass, and plastic items, dental alloys, and sports equipment like golf clubs and bicycle frames.
Beryllium copper is a versatile material used in many applications due to its unique properties.
Industries employ beryllium-aluminum in high-tech applications like aircraft, scientific instruments aboard spacecraft, defense avionics, packaging, and high-resolution medical and industrial X-ray equipment.
Beryllium-nickel has high tensile strength and has age-hardening characteristics. Diamond drill-bit matrices, watch-balance wheels, and airplane brakes are among its uses.
Occupational exposures
Many factories use beryllium, especially in making alloys with metals like copper, aluminum, and nickel. Workers who handle beryllium or work with materials that contain it can be at risk of breathing in tiny particles or fumes that can harm their health—this can happen when they are melting, grinding, welding, drilling, or handling waste materials that contain beryllium. Even recycling old products with beryllium can be dangerous, especially in places where operators don’t take safety measures seriously. About 1% to 15% of workers using beryllium are at risk of harmful exposure. The risk can be even greater if workers face metals like beryllium.
Toxicological profile, main health effects, and diagnostic criteria
Beryllium can induce harmful reactions in individuals exposed to it. Inhalation of beryllium dust can prompt white blood cells to accumulate around the particles, causing inflammation and the formation of small lumps known as lung granulomas. These granulomas may also manifest in other organs like the liver and skin. The effects of beryllium exposure range from mild skin irritation to severe lung ailments. Such as acute berylliosis, chronic beryllium disease, and even lung cancer. Notably, the risk of developing these conditions hinges on an individual’s genetic makeup and the extent of beryllium exposure. Beryllium is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating its carcinogenicity in humans.
Name of the disease: Acute beryllium disease
Name of the disease: Acute beryllium diseases are berylliosis (lung), Acute bronchitis and pneumonitis, Upper respiratory inflammation, Pulmonary edema, Acute conjunctivitis, Allergic contact dermatitis, and Irritant contact dermatitis.
Short description of the disease
Beryllium is a chemical that can cause health problems if people inhale it. The acute effects of this chemical can affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. People can get skin rashes or eye irritation if they come into contact with beryllium. Breathing in beryllium can cause mild inflammation of the airways or even severe lung problems. These symptoms can include feeling tired, losing weight, difficulty breathing, fever, and coughing blood. People exposed to beryllium should avoid further exposure, as it can lead to chronic lung problems.
Diagnostic criteria
CBD is a lung disease that develops slowly over time. It can cause shortness of breath, weight loss, coughing, fatigue, chest pain, and weakness. Clubbing of the fingers and heart problems can occur in advanced cases and can lead to death. Doctors can diagnose CBD by listening to the lungs with a stethoscope and conducting breathing tests. They can also use X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies to see what’s happening in the lungs. Scientists have developed new tests to help diagnose CBD more accurately.
Classification
There are three different categories used to classify beryllium disease.
- Experts call the first category beryllium sensitization, which means someone has an immune response to beryllium but no sign of lung damage.
- The second category is called subclinical chronic beryllium disease (CBD)—this means that someone is immune to beryllium, and some lung changes are consistent with CBD. Still, they have no symptoms or physical abnormalities.
- The third category is called clinically evident CBD—this means that someone has both the immune response and the lung changes seen in subclinical CBD and signs and symptoms of the disease.
Exposure assessment
When assessing the risks of exposure to beryllium, it is essential to consider the history of occupational exposure and the duration of exposure. Beryllium sensitization can occur just a few months after initial exposure, so keeping track of workplace monitoring data is crucial. Beryllium-related health issues, such as chronic beryllium disease, can develop anywhere from just a few months to as long as 40 years after exposure. So, taking precautions to prevent exposure is crucial for your long-term health.
Occupational lung cancer due to beryllium
Key actions for prevention
Manufacturers widely use beryllium, a chemical element, to produce high-tech products. However, exposure to it can cause health problems. The best way to prevent these problems is to avoid contact with beryllium as much as possible.
People working in high-tech factories often use beryllium, so they must take extra precautions. They wear special suits, masks, and gloves to protect themselves and prevent contamination of the products they are making.
Specific industrial sectors, like mining, manufacturing, and recycling, are more likely to expose workers to beryllium, so safety experts must pay close attention to those areas and ensure workers are protected.
It’s essential to make sure that workers stay safe and healthy while they’re working. Some materials they might come into contact with can be dangerous, and it’s not just the workers who are at risk. They could bring home things on their clothes that could make their families sick, and the pollution that factories create can also be harmful to people who live nearby. One of these dangerous materials is called beryllium dust. To ensure that workers don’t breathe in too much of it, measuring the air close to their faces is best instead of just in the area around them. Countries have different rules about how much beryllium dust is safe, but even a little bit can cause problems over time. To ensure everyone stays healthy, following the safety guidelines carefully is essential.
Beryllium, a lung-harming metal, exposes workers. Doctors utilize the Blood Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (BeLPT) to ascertain beryllium exposure. This test, being imperfect, necessitates repetition for accuracy. However, a positive result doesn’t definitively indicate harm. Doctors may conduct additional tests like bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or biopsy for further evaluation. Sensitivity to beryllium prompts recommendations to avoid further exposure, though continual improvement remains uncertain.
If this article has stirred a question or sparked your curiosity—a deliberate thought or a fleeting idea—there is always room to explore more. So, as you navigate the intricate web of work and health, let curiosity and knowledge be your compass, guiding you toward a future where work enriches life. Happy exploring!
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