Some contract workers at beryllium plants, automotive manufacturing workers, aerospace workers, dental lab technicians, and those involved in recycling computers, cell phones and other electronic devices have developed beryllium disease. Brush Wellman, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, is the largest beryllium producer in the country. Beryllium is a naturally-occurring material. It is a hard, lightweight metal used to make military hardware, cars and trucks, computers, cell phones, and dental work specifically crowns, bridges, and dental plates. People exposed to beryllium dust or fumes can develop chronic beryllium disease.
Beryllium disease is incurable and often fatal.
Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, fevers, and night sweats. Beryllium disease can develop in a short period after initial exposure or remain latent for up to thirty years. Because the symptoms of beryllium disease are similar to those of other illnesses, and because so few physicians know anything about the illness and who is in danger from exposure, the disease often goes misdiagnosed. To diagnose the disease in beryllium sensitized people, they must undergo a series of tests, including lung biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage. This report outlines the dangers faced by dental lab technicians working with beryllium alloys.