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    Beryllium Disease

    Beryllium disease (sometimes called berylliosis) is a lung
    inflammation caused by inhaling dust or fumes that contain beryllium.

    In the past, beryllium was commonly mined and extracted for use in the
    electronics and chemical industries and in the manufacturing of fluorescent
    light bulbs. Today, it is used mainly in the aerospace industry and in beryllium
    aluminum castings. Besides workers in these industries, a few people living
    near beryllium refineries also have developed beryllium disease.

    Beryllium disease differs from other occupational lung diseases in that at
    low levels of exposure, lung problems seem to occur only in people who are
    sensitive to beryllium – abut 2% of those who come in contact with it. The
    disease can occur in such people even with a relatively brief exposure to
    beryllium.

    Symptoms and Diagnosis

    In some people, beryllium disease develops suddenly (acute beryllium
    disease), mainly as an inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis). In these
    people, the lungs are stiff and function poorly. People with acute disease
    have an abrupt onset of coughing, difficulty in breathing, and weight loss.
    Acute beryllium disease also can affect the skin and eyes.

    Other people develop chronic beryllium disease, in which abnormal tissue
    forms in the lungs and the lymph nodes enlarge. In these people, coughing,
    difficulty in breathing and weight loss develops slowly, often 10 to 20 years
    after exposure.

    The diagnosis is based on the person’s history of exposure to beryllium, the
    symptoms, and characteristics changes on a chest x-ray. However, x-rays of
    people with beryllium disease resemble those of another lung disease,
    sarcoidosis, and additional immunologic tests (such as the beryllium
    lymphocyte transformation test) may be needed.

    Prognosis, Prevention, and Treatment

    Acute beryllium disease may be severe. Most people recover in 7 to 10 days
    with appropriate treatment, such as ventilator support and corticosteroid drugs.
    However, some people with severe disease die.

    The course of people who develop symptoms late is completely different.
    People with chronic beryllium disease continue to have symptoms, which
    tend to progress. If the lungs are severely damaged, the heart may become
    strained, causing a type of heart failure (cor pulmonale) and death. Sometimes
    corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone, are prescribed for chronic beryllium
    disease, although they generally are not very helpful. Beryllium disease can
    be prevented by strictly limiting exposure to beryllium.

    Source: Merck Manual of Medical Information
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