CUTANEOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY DUE TO BERYLLIUM

Abstract

DERMATITIS caused by beryllium compounds is one of the principal occupational hazards in beryllium-extraction plants. Gelman¹cited Pack as having observed a papulovesicular dermatitis on the exposed surfaces of workers engaged in the extraction of beryllium. Ulcers resembling those caused by chromates and dichromates occurred on the fingers of these workers. De Nardi²reported 202 cases of dermatitis, 131 cases of tracheobronchitis, and 57 cases of pneumonitis from two beryllium-extraction plants near Cleveland during the period from 1940 to Jan. 17, 1950. Of the 202 cases of dermatitis, De Nardi lists 156 as due to beryllium fluoride (BeF₂) and 45 as due to beryllium sulfate (BeSO₄).³Many of the workers who acquired the dermatitis also acquired conjunctivitis and rhinopharyngitis. Van Ordstrand and De Nardi and associates⁴observed that the skin and mucous membrane symptoms occurred in about 25% of the new employees