Chronic Berylliosis causes abnormal formation of inflammatory nodules (granulomas), and extensive scarring of the deep lung tissues -i.e. Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). In some cases, Chronic Berylliosis results in granulomas of subcutaneous (skin) tissues and/or the granulomas/nodules of the liver as well.

Beryllium Exposure Disease / Berylliosis Risk Factors:

Industrial workers involved in manufacturing or processing of Aircraft brakes, Aircraft engines, Aircraft landing gear, Bearings, Ceramics, Gears, Laser tubes, Spark plugs, Turbines, Welding electrodes as well as those working in Nuclear power plants, Oil Refineries, and Natural Gas industries are at an increased risk of developing Beryllium Exposure Disease or Berylliosis. Acute Beryllium Exposure Disease or Acute Chemical Pneumonitis now rarely occurs, primarily due to better working conditions in the modern beryllium processing plants.

What is the Half Life Time for Beryllium?

The pulmonary half-life for soluble form of Beryllium is usually somewhere between a few weeks to up to six (6) months. Most of the beryllium is excreted in the urine. Insoluble forms of beryllium, on the other hand, are not excreted easily, and may remain within the body for many years.

Signs and Symptoms of Beryllium Exposure Disease / Berylliosis:

Berylliosis symptoms usually include: Arthralgia, Chest pain, Dry cough Dermatitis, Fatigue, Insidious onset of Dyspnea, Lymphadenopathy, Shortness of breath, Tightness in the Chest, and Weight loss.

Berylliosis / Beryllium Exposure Disease Diagnosis:

If exposure to Beryllium is suspected, a detailed occupational history of the patient must be obtained to examine any possibilities of CBD. Diagnosis of Berylliosis / beryllium exposure disease usually requires specialized diagnostic tests such as Blood BeLPT test, as well as a set of pulmonary function tests for evaluation of Lung volumes, and Diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Evaluation of Arterial blood gases is also always helpful. Diagnostic chest x-rays and/or High-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of CBS patients are often clearly indicative of ground glass opacification, hilar adenopathy, parenchymal nodules, and/or septal lines. Additionally, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, transbronchial biopsies (TBBX) may also be required. In some cases, even open lung biopsy may also be necessary.

Treatment for Berylliosis / Beryllium Exposure Disease:

Considering that just like Sarcoidosis, Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) / Berylliosis is also a granulomatous lung disease, the treatment for Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) / Berylliosis is usually quite similar to the Threatment of Sarcoidosis. Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) patients are almost always prescribed corticosteroids such as Prednisone, with some patients receiving Cytotoxic agents (such as Methotrexate). In some (end-stage) cases, lung transplantation may be considered necessary.

Berylliosis / Beryllium Exposure Disease (CBD) Prognosis/Expectations:

Final outcome of Chronic Beryllium Disease / Berylliosis patients often varies by a great extent from one patient to the another. One on extreme, some CBD patients experience no symptoms (remain completely asymptomatic) while others are found to progressively develop debilitating respiratory failure, and possibly succumb to CBD. In most cases, some degree of pulmonary function compromise almost always occurs as the disease progresses.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Berylliosis / Beryllium Exposure Disease Related News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Berylliosis / Beryllium Exposure Disease related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.