lung and airway disorders
Beryllium Disease
Prevention of Beryllium Disease
Facilities that use beryllium-containing products should implement a control program to minimize exposure to beryllium. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the permissible exposure limit of beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over 8 hours (seeOSHA Beryllium Standards). This standard is expected to reduce the number of cases but not entirely eliminate chronic beryllium disease, as cases can still develop at exposure levels below the OSHA standard. Efforts should also be made to minimize skin exposure, given the potential for sensitization following skin contact. 