Day Gregory A, Dufresne André, Stefaniak Aleksandr B, Schuler Christine R, Stanton Marcia L, Miller William E, Kent Michael S, Deubner David C, Kreiss Kathleen, Hoover Mark D
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Ann Occup Hyg. 2007 Jan;51(1):67-80. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mel041. Epub 2006 Jul 14.
Controlling beryllium inhalation exposures to comply with regulatory levels (2 micro g m(-3) of air) does not appear to prevent beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Additionally, it has proven difficult to establish a clear inhalation exposure-response relationship for beryllium sensitization and CBD. Thus, skin may be an important route of exposure that leads to beryllium sensitization. A 2000 survey had identified prevalence of sensitization (7%) and CBD (4%) in a beryllium alloy facility. An improved particulate migration control program, including dermal protection in production areas, was completed in 2002 at the facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate levels of beryllium in workplace air, on work surfaces, on cotton gloves worn by employees over nitrile gloves, and on necks and faces of employees subsequent to implementation of the program. Over a 6 day period, we collected general area air samples (n = 10), wipes from routinely handled work surfaces (n = 252), thin cotton glove samples (n = 113) worn by employees, and neck wipes (n = 109) and face wipes (n = 109) from the same employees. In production, production support and office areas geometric mean (GM) levels of beryllium were 0.95, 0.59 and 0.05 micro g per 100 cm(2) on work surfaces; 42.8, 73.8 and 0.07 micro g per sample on cotton gloves; 0.07, 0.09 and 0.003 micro g on necks; and 0.07, 0.12 and 0.003 micro g on faces, respectively. Correlations were strong between beryllium in air and on work surfaces (r = 0.79), and between beryllium on cotton gloves and on work surfaces (0.86), necks (0.87) and faces (0.86). This study demonstrates that, even with the implementation of control measures to reduce skin contact with beryllium as part of a comprehensive workplace protection program, measurable levels of beryllium continue to reach the skin of workers in production and production support areas. Based on our current understanding of the multiple exposure pathways that may lead to sensitization, we support prudent control practices such as use of protective gloves to minimize skin exposure to beryllium salts and fine particles.
控制铍吸入暴露以符合监管水平（空气中2微克/立方米）似乎并不能预防铍致敏和慢性铍病（CBD）。此外，已证明难以建立铍致敏和CBD明确的吸入暴露-反应关系。因此，皮肤可能是导致铍致敏的重要暴露途径。2000年的一项调查确定了一家铍合金工厂的致敏率（7%）和CBD患病率（4%）。该工厂于2002年完成了一项改进的颗粒物迁移控制计划，包括在生产区域提供皮肤防护。本研究的目的是评估该计划实施后工作场所空气中、工作表面、员工在腈手套外面佩戴的棉手套上以及员工颈部和面部的铍水平。在6天的时间里，我们采集了一般区域空气样本（n = 10）、常规处理的工作表面擦拭样本（n = 252）、员工佩戴的薄棉手套样本（n = 113）以及同一批员工的颈部擦拭样本（n = 109）和面部擦拭样本（n = 109）。在生产、生产支持和办公区域，工作表面铍的几何平均（GM）水平分别为每100平方厘米0.95、0.59和0.05微克；棉手套上每样本42.8、73.8和0.07微克；颈部为0.07、0.09和0.003微克；面部为0.07、0.12和0.003微克。空气中的铍与工作表面的铍之间（r = 0.79）、棉手套上的铍与工作表面的铍之间（0.86）、颈部的铍之间（0.87）以及面部的铍之间（0.86）存在很强的相关性。本研究表明，即使作为全面工作场所保护计划的一部分实施了减少皮肤接触铍的控制措施，生产和生产支持区域的工人皮肤仍会接触到可测量水平的铍。基于我们目前对可能导致致敏的多种暴露途径的理解，我们支持采取谨慎的控制措施，如使用防护手套，以尽量减少皮肤接触铍盐和细颗粒物。
