Cumulative sensitization and disease in a beryllium oxide ceramics worker cohort.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We followed a cohort of 136 beryllium oxide ceramics workers from 1992 to 2003, including those who left employment, for beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).

METHODS:

We invited the cohort's participation in current worker surveys in 1992, 1998, 2000, and 2002-2003, and in former worker surveys in 2000-2001 and 2003. We calculated 11-year cumulative incidences (after 1992 initial survey) of sensitization and CBD, both crude and corrected for interval censoring; and period prevalences (including 1992 findings), crude and corrected.

RESULTS:

In 1992, point prevalences were 6% sensitized and 4% CBD. We obtained follow-up on 83% of 128 not sensitized in 1992. Crude cumulative incidences for sensitization and CBD were 13% and 9%, respectively; corrected were 15% and 11%. Crude period prevalences for sensitization and CBD were 16% and 11%, respectively; corrected were 20% and 14%. Corrected period prevalences for pre-1992 machining work were 30% and 20%.

CONCLUSIONS:

With repeated testing over 11 years, total sensitization and CBD in this cohort were triple initial 1992 survey results.

• Authors: Christine R Schuler, Margaret M Kitt, Paul K Henneberger, David C Deubner, Kathleen Kreiss
• Journal: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine (J Occup Environ Med) Vol. 50 Issue 12 Pg. 1343-50 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1536-5948 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19092488 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• beryllium oxide
• Beryllium

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Berylliosis (blood, epidemiology)
• Beryllium (adverse effects, blood)
• Bronchoscopes
• Ceramics
• Chemical Industry
• Chronic Disease
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (epidemiology, etiology)
• Incidence
• Lymphocytes
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Smoking (epidemiology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires