Beryllium copper alloy (2%) causes chronic beryllium disease

J Occup Environ Med. 1999 Apr;41(4):304-8. doi: 10.1097/00043764-199904000-00013.

Abstract

We describe two newly confirmed cases of chronic beryllium disease who presented to our clinic from a facility that only used 2% beryllium copper alloy. These cases illustrate that the 2% beryllium copper alloy continues to cause chronic beryllium disease and that appropriate preventive measures must be taken to control exposures and educate industries and their workers about the hazards of beryllium alloys.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects*
  • Alloys / adverse effects*
  • Berylliosis / complications
  • Berylliosis / diagnosis
  • Berylliosis / drug therapy
  • Berylliosis / etiology*
  • Beryllium / adverse effects*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Copper / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Alloys
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Copper
  • Prednisolone
  • Beryllium