Beryllium disease among construction trade workers at Department of Energy nuclear sites: A follow‐up
[1];
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- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Duke University Medical Center Durham North Carolina USA
- Zenith American Solutions Covina California USA
- Center for Construction Research and Training Silver Spring Maryland USA
Abstract Background Construction workers at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities are screened to identify DOE‐related occupational illnesses, including beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). The study objectives were to estimate beryllium disease risks and the CBD claims acceptance rate in the energy workers' benefits program. Methods Workers diagnosed with BeS via beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) included in screening examinations were interviewed about subsequent diagnosis of CBD. We estimated the proportion who developed CBD based on the ratio of CBD cases, based on self‐reported compensation claim status, to all workers with BeS interviewed. We used stratified analyses to explore trends in disease frequency by age, race, sex, DOE employment duration, site, trade group, and cigarette smoking history. Results Between 1998 and 2020, 21,854 workers received a BeLPT; 262 (1.20%) had BeS (two abnormals or one abnormal plus one borderline test); 212 (0.97%) had a single abnormal BeLPT. Of 177 BeS workers interviewed, 35 (19.8%) reported an accepted CBD compensation claim. The claims acceptance rate among BeS workers increased with years of DOE employment, from 8.4% with <5 years to 33.3% for >25 or more years. Five of 68 interviewed workers with a single positive BeLPT reported CBD claim acceptance; an additional CBD case was confirmed by chart review (8.8%). Conclusions Years of DOE work predict the risk of developing CBD among those sensitized and getting a claim for CBD accepted. Ongoing surveillance and increased awareness of the risk of beryllium exposure and CBD as an occupational disease among construction workers are needed.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 1876147
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Journal Name: American Journal of Industrial Medicine Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 65; ISSN 0271-3586
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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