Deubner D, Kelsh M, Shum M, Maier L, Kent M, Lau E
Brush Wellman Inc., Elmore, Ohio, USA.
Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 2001 May;16(5):579-92. doi: 10.1080/104732201750169697.
In this study, we examine beryllium sensitization, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), and workplace exposures at a beryllium mining (mine) and extraction facility (mill) in Delta, Utah. Historical airborne beryllium data collected between 1970-1999 included general area (GA), breathing zone (BZ), and personal lapel (LP) measurements and calculations of job-specific quarterly daily-weighted averages (DWVAs). We compared GA, BZ, and DWA data to airborne beryllium data from a mixed beryllium products facility and a beryllium ceramics facility located in Elmore, Ohio and Tucson, Arizona, respectively. At the Delta facility, jobs involving beryllium hydrolysis and wet-grinding activities had the highest air concentrations; annual median GA concentrations were less than 0.3 microg/m3 or both areas. Annual median GA sample concentrations ranged from 0.1-0.4 microg/m(-3) at Delta. These levels were generally lower than Elmore (0.1-1.0 microg/m3) and were comparable to the Tucson facility (0.1-0.4 microg/m3). Median BZ concentrations were higher, whereas DWAs were lower at the Delta facility than at the other two facilities. Among the 87 employees at the Delta facility, 75 participated in the medical survey; there were three persons sensitized, one with CBD. The individual with CBD previously worked at the Elmore facility for 10 years. Cumulative CBD incidence rates were significantly lower at the Delta facility: 0.3 percent compared to 2.0 percent for Elmore and 2.5 percent for the Tucson facility. Sensitization and CBD prevalence rates determined from cross-sectional surveys for the Delta facility were lower than but not significantly different from rates at the other two facilities. There was no sensitization or CBD among those who worked only at the mine where the only exposure to beryllium results from working with bertrandite ore. Although these results are derived from a small sample, this study suggests that the form of beryllium may affect the likelihood of developing CBD. Specifically, exposure to beryl and bertrandite ore dusts or to beryllium salts, in the absence of exposure to beryllium oxide particulates appears to pose a lower risk for developing CBD.
在本研究中，我们调查了犹他州德尔塔一家铍矿开采及提炼厂（选矿厂）的铍致敏情况、慢性铍病（CBD）及工作场所暴露情况。1970年至1999年期间收集的历史空气铍数据包括一般区域（GA）、呼吸带（BZ）和个人翻领（LP）测量值，以及特定工作岗位的季度日加权平均值（DWVA）计算结果。我们将GA、BZ和DWVA数据与分别位于俄亥俄州埃尔莫尔和亚利桑那州图森的一家混合铍产品厂和一家铍陶瓷厂的空气铍数据进行了比较。在德尔塔工厂，涉及铍水解和湿磨活动的工作岗位空气浓度最高；两个区域的年度GA中位数浓度均低于0.3微克/立方米。德尔塔工厂的年度GA样本中位数浓度范围为0.1 - 0.4微克/立方米。这些水平通常低于埃尔莫尔工厂（0.1 - 1.0微克/立方米），与图森工厂（0.1 - 0.4微克/立方米）相当。德尔塔工厂的BZ中位数浓度较高，而DWVA则低于其他两家工厂。在德尔塔工厂的87名员工中，75人参与了医学调查；有3人致敏，1人患有CBD。患有CBD的个体之前在埃尔莫尔工厂工作了10年。德尔塔工厂的CBD累积发病率显著较低：为0.3%，而埃尔莫尔工厂为2.0%，图森工厂为2.5%。通过对德尔塔工厂横断面调查确定的致敏率和CBD患病率低于其他两家工厂，但差异无统计学意义。仅在矿山工作的人员中没有出现致敏或CBD情况，在矿山，接触铍仅源于处理羟硅铍石矿石。尽管这些结果来自小样本，但本研究表明铍的形态可能会影响患CBD的可能性。具体而言，在未接触氧化铍颗粒的情况下，接触绿柱石和羟硅铍石矿石粉尘或铍盐似乎患CBD的风险较低。
