In that other study, we found 28 lung cancer deaths, but expected 14. Those who developed acute beryllium disease, a form of the disease caused by very high exposures to soluble forms of beryllium, had the highest risk. We saw 17 deaths, but expected only 7 or 8.

Additional Findings of the Workplace Study

Lung Diseases, Including Chronic Beryllium Disease

At all plants combined, we saw an increase in the group of lung diseases that includes chronic beryllium disease. We found 101 deaths, but expected only 68.

Heart Disease

We also saw an increase in heart disease at all plants combined. We saw 1,314 deaths, but expected 1,240. Most of this increase was in heart attacks. This was an unusual finding, but we do not know if it was related to beryllium exposure.

Kidney Disease

Deaths from kidney diseases were 1½ times more common in workers who worked at beryllium processing plants than in the general public. We found 30 deaths, but expected 20.

This is a rare cause of death, and very few workers are likely to die from it.

Since beryllium passes through the kidneys, it is possible that it can damage them. However, this is a new finding. We do not know if this increase is related to beryllium exposure.

Mouth Cancer

We found an increase in mouth and salivary gland cancers at one plant that was not found at other plants. At the one plants we found 9 deaths, but expected only 2 or 3.

This is the first time that an increase in these cancers has been seen in beryllium workers. We do not know what caused this increase.

Mouth and salivary gland cancers are very rare. Only a very few workers developed these cancers.

What the Study Means