Exposure factors associated with chronic beryllium disease development in Beryllium BioBank participants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of occupational history for beryllium-exposed workers.

METHODS: Beryllium BioBank data were analyzed for 532 subjects in the following three groups: beryllium-exposed, beryllium-sensitized, and chronic beryllium disease. Predictor variables were several questionnaire-derived exposure indices.

RESULTS: Cumulative exposure estimated from a standardized interview contributes to differentiating beryllium-exposed from chronic beryllium disease. The likelihood of progression from sensitization to disease was associated with peak-level weighted exposure hours.

CONCLUSIONS: Selecting workers for extensive diagnostic testing should consider each worker's duration and characteristics of exposure. The intensity and total hours of exposure should be evaluated rather than relying on only the total years.