What is Chronic Beryllium Disease and How Is It Diagnosed?
Chronic beryllium disease or berylliosis is an illness that damages or scars the lung tissue, resulting in shortness of breath and chest pain. It limits everyday activities and may stress the heart. Although taking steroids may decrease the lung inflammation caused by chronic beryllium disease, the condition is incurable at this time. Mr. Stark took the blood test known as the “beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test” or BeLPT. It examines how disease–fighting cells involved in immune responses, called lymphocytes, react to beryllium. If the lymphocytes react strongly to beryllium, then the BeLPT is called abnormal and indicates “beryllium sensitization,” an allergic reaction to beryllium. Beryllium sensitization precedes the development of chronic beryllium disease in susceptible workers. Beryllium disease can occur from about three months to 30 or 40 years after beryllium exposure. Beryllium Exposure Risks Machinists who work with beryllium or beryllium alloys are at high risk for be
