If your work exposes you to hazardous substances such as beryllium, it is of utmost importance to know the signs and symptoms of chronic beryllium disease.
Berylliosis is a type of chemical poisoning caused by breathing dust or fumes that contain beryllium. There are two types of berylliosis: acute beryllium disease (short-term) and chronic beryllium disease (long-term). To better understand this occupational hazard or exposure to beryllium, we will differentiate the two types.
Acute beryllium disease
Acute beryllium disease can easily affect workers exposed to beryllium. The common signs of exposure can resemble pneumonia or bronchitis such as cough, shortness of breath and sore throat. With the company’s protective effort in compliance to Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to reduce exposure to beryllium, this type is rare nowadays.
Chronic beryllium disease
Slow onset from four months to four years of exposure, chronic beryllium disease may result to a person’s sensitization to beryllium and can develop a life-long risk to CBD. Beryllium is carcinogenic. The substance can cause lung diseases, at worst develop into lung cancer, in any person exposed to it for a long time.
Healing of wound is slow and CBD patients can develop disorders of the skin such as contact dermatitis, rashes and bumps.
CBD can be deadly. When poorly controlled, it can lead to a progressive state that can be debilitating so its effect to an individual is not easy to predict.
People exposed to beryllium may show symptoms while others do not. But even if you don’t manifest any symptom, you must still see your doctor. Signs of progression may be detected when you are constantly exposed to your workplace.
Signs and symptoms of CBD
Here listed are fifteen (15) signs and symptoms of beryllium disease.
- Conjunctivitis
- Skin irritation
- Skin ulcers
- Nausea
- Pneumonitis
- Vomiting
- Right-sided heart failure
- Pulmonary fibronodular disease
- Weakness
- Eye irritation
- Weight loss
- Fever
CBD patients may develop a kind of lung scarring known as granuloma.
Because CBD is a lung disease, flu vaccinations and early detection of respiratory infections are the first line of treatment and defense.
CBD patients are advised to stop the bad habit of smoking. This is to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease, it is best to avoid exposure to the toxic metal to slow down or stop its progress. A change of work environment is helpful or you must take some precautionary measures against this occupational hazard.