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When inhaled as a particulate, some beryllium compounds can lead to an irreversible and sometimes fatal scarring of the lungs known as berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease (CBD). It is probably an allergic reaction, in which 2-5% of people exposed are more susceptible than others; but sensitivity can increase with exposure. There is currently no widely available test to find out who is sensitive to beryllium before exposure occurs. Even small amounts of beryllium particles of respirable size may trigger sensitivity, and CBD can take from a few months to 30 years to develop (average latency period of 10 to 15 years), even for those with only minor incidental exposure to beryllium dust. Not all forms of beryllium are equally toxic.
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