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Beryllium contamination inside vehicles of machine shop workers
W T Sanderson1, P K Henneberger, J Martyny
1Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|August 24, 1999
Summary
Workers may carry beryllium home on their hands and in vehicles, potentially exposing families to chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Reducing take-home beryllium exposure is crucial for preventing this debilitating lung condition.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Inhalation of beryllium particles causes chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in sensitized workers.
- Beryllium exposure can occur outside the workplace, affecting family members and nearby residents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate potential take-home beryllium exposure from workers at a precision machine shop.
- To measure surface beryllium concentrations on workers' hands and in their vehicles.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of workers at a precision machine shop.
- Surface wipe samples collected from hands and vehicle interiors.
- Beryllium analysis using inductively coupled argon plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
Main Results:
- Beryllium was detected on workers' hands (up to 40 µg/ft²) and in vehicles (up to 714 µg/ft²).
- Highest vehicle contamination was on the driver's floor, indicating transfer from shoes.
- Many workers did not change work clothes/shoes, increasing take-home exposure risk.
Conclusions:
- Workers transport residual beryllium on hands and contaminate vehicle interiors.
- Shoes are a significant vector for carrying beryllium into vehicles.
- Minimizing take-home beryllium exposure is essential for preventing CBD.