Beryllium contamination and exposure monitoring in an inhalation laboratory setting

Beryllium (Be) is used in several forms: pure metal, beryllium oxide, and as an alloy with copper, aluminum, or nickel. Beryllium oxide, beryllium metal, and beryllium alloys are the main forms present in the workplace, with inhalation being the primary route of exposure. Cases of workers with sensi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Toxicology and industrial health 2010-02, Vol.26 (1), p.39-45
Main Authors: Muller, Caroline, Audusseau, Séverine, Salehi, Fariba, Truchon, Ginette, Chevalier, Gaston, Mazer, Bruce, Kennedy, Greg, Zayed, Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols
Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis
Air Pollutants, Occupational - toxicity
Alloys
Aluminum
Animals
Atmosphere Exposure Chambers
Beryllium
Beryllium - analysis
Beryllium - toxicity
Disease prevention
Environmental Monitoring
Experiments
Inhalation Exposure - analysis
Laboratories
Lung diseases
Mice
Models, Animal
Occupational health
Protective clothing
Toxicity
Toxicity Tests
Toxicology
Workers
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Summary:Beryllium (Be) is used in several forms: pure metal, beryllium oxide, and as an alloy with copper, aluminum, or nickel. Beryllium oxide, beryllium metal, and beryllium alloys are the main forms present in the workplace, with inhalation being the primary route of exposure. Cases of workers with sensitization or chronic beryllium disease challenge the scientific community for a better understanding of Be toxicity. Therefore, a toxicological inhalation study using a murine model was performed in our laboratory in order to identify the toxic effects related to different particle sizes and chemical forms of Be. This article attempts to provide information regarding the relative effectiveness of the environmental monitoring and exposure protection program that was enacted to protect staff (students and researchers) in this controlled animal beryllium inhalation exposure experiment. This includes specific attention to particle migration control through intensive housekeeping and systematic airborne and surface monitoring. Results show that the protective measures applied during this research have been effective. The highest airborne Be concentration in the laboratory was less than one-tenth of the Quebec OEL (occupational exposure limit) of 0.15 μg/m3. Considering the protection factor of 103 of the powered air-purifying respirator used in this research, the average exposure level would be 0.03 × 10— 4 μg/m3, which is extremely low. Moreover, with the exception of one value, all average Be concentrations on surfaces were below the Quebec Standard guideline level of 3 μg/100 cm2 for Be contamination. Finally, all beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests for the staff were not higher than controls.
ISSN:0748-2337
1477-0393
DOI:10.1177/0748233709359276