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Exposure pathway assessment at a copper-beryllium alloy facility.
Gregory A Day1, André Dufresne, Aleksandr B Stefaniak
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. gday@cdc.gov
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|July 18, 2006
Summary
Even with controls, beryllium reaches workers' skin, highlighting the need for dermal protection. This study measured beryllium levels on surfaces and skin, finding significant contamination in production areas, underscoring the importance of minimizing skin exposure to prevent sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Regulatory limits for beryllium inhalation exposure do not prevent beryllium sensitization or chronic beryllium disease (CBD).
- Establishing a clear inhalation exposure-response relationship for beryllium sensitization and CBD has been challenging.
- Skin exposure is a potential significant route for beryllium sensitization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate beryllium levels in workplace air, on surfaces, and on workers' skin (gloves, necks, faces).
- To assess the effectiveness of a particulate migration control program implemented in 2002, including dermal protection.
Main Methods:
- Collected air samples, surface wipes, cotton glove samples, neck wipes, and face wipes over a 6-day period.
- Measured beryllium levels using established methods.
- Analyzed correlations between beryllium levels in air, on surfaces, gloves, and skin.
Main Results:
- Significant geometric mean levels of beryllium were detected on work surfaces (0.95 micro g/100 cm(2) in production), cotton gloves (42.8 micro g/sample in production), necks (0.07 micro g), and faces (0.07 micro g) in production areas.
- Strong correlations were observed between beryllium in air and on work surfaces (r=0.79), and between glove, neck, and face contamination and work surface contamination (r=0.86-0.87).
- Measurable beryllium levels reached workers' skin despite control measures.
Conclusions:
- Implementation of a comprehensive workplace protection program, including dermal protection, did not eliminate beryllium contamination on workers' skin in production and support areas.
- The findings support the hypothesis that skin contact is a significant exposure route for beryllium.
- Prudent control practices, such as wearing protective gloves, are essential to minimize skin exposure and prevent beryllium sensitization and CBD.