Occupational
exposure limits (OELs) for beryllium have been applied in the
occupational environment for more than 50 years and have been
used in U.S. regulations for nearly 30 years. The ef cacy of the
current beryllium standard of 2.0 ąg/m3 has been questioned
as a result of recent epidemiological studies that suggest some
workers may developCBDat exposures less than 2.0ąg/m3.(2ˇ4)
This article presents a review of (1) the occurrence in nature and
industrial uses of beryllium, (2) the regulatory history of beryllium,
(3) the historical and current understanding of the etiology
of CBD, and (4) current and future research initiatives that are
intended to characterize the risk factors associated with CBD.
|