Since 1998, NIOSH and Brush Wellman Inc., the largest US producer of beryllium and beryllium products, have collaborated on research focused on beryllium and its associated health effects. This research program comprises medical surveillance of current Brush Wellman workers, and studies of airborne and dermal beryllium exposure. In addition to the collaborative work, NIOSH has a complementary but independent research program focused upon understanding genetic factors associated with beryllium sensitization and disease, as well as medical surveillance of some former Brush Wellman workers. This newsletter is the first in a planned series of communications between NIOSH and the employee participants in our beryllium research, and was designed to provide information on completed studies, current research, and future activities.
Research highlights are reviewed in the 3rd Newsletter published.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/beryllium/pdfs/news-issue1.pdf