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Beryllium disease is caused by inhaling beryllium particles, dust or fumes. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite, fever and sweating. Medical tests may reveal abnormal lung sounds, lung scars, decreased pulmonary function, granulomas (a nodular form of chronic inflammation) and an allergy to beryllium. The chronic form of the disease, Chronic Beryllium Disease (“CBD”) is caused by an allergic reaction to beryllium. Depending on the severity of CBD, symptoms of pulmonary hypertension or respiratory failure may be present. CBD is incurable, usually irreversible and may result in death. The acute form of the disease, involving skin disease with poor wound healing and rash or wart-like bumps, is rarely seen and usually not nearly as serious as CBD.
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