Chronic Beryllium Disease and other Beryllium-Related Problems Workers exposed to beryllium are at risk of developing serious, debilitating diseases. In severe cases, both diseases may be fatal. The Department of Health and Human Services , the Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider beryllium to be carcinogenic.
Various studies implicate beryllium in lung cancer.
Individuals with a history of beryllium exposure who develop lung cancer should be evaluated to determine if beryllium played a role in causing the cancer. Symptoms of the disease include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, fevers, skin rash, and night sweats. In the later stages, lung tissue becomes scarred. In severe cases, the right side of the heart may be strained due to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery from lung damage. Testing for CBD includes the use of chest x-rays and blood tests.