A Study on the Beryllium Lymphocyte Transformation Test and the Beryllium Levels in Working Environment

Tsutomu YOSHIDA; Syogo SHIMA; Kaoru NAGAOKA; Hiroshige TANIWAKI; Akihiko WADA; Hideki KURITA; Kunihiko MORITA

doi:10.2486/indhealth.35.374

Tsutomu YOSHIDA, Syogo SHIMA, Kaoru NAGAOKA, Hiroshige TANIWAKI, Akihiko WADA, Hideki KURITA, Kunihiko MORITA

Author information

Keywords: Beryllium, Chronic beryllium disease, Lymphocyte transformation test, Beryllium-copper, Beryllium-copper alloy, T cell

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1997 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 374-379

DOI https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.35.374

Details

Abstract

The relationship between airborne concentration of beryllium in the working environment and workers' beryllium lymphocyte transformation test (Be-LTT) values was examined based on data obtained from a four-year survey (1992-1995) conducted at beryllium-copper alloy manufacturing factories. This study showed that the T cells of workers continuously exposed to beryllium of more than 0.01μg/m³ could be activated and that the cell-mediated immune response of workers could be promoted. On the other hand, the Be-LTT of workers exposed to beryllium levels of less than 0.01μg/m³ was shown to be unaffected by beryllium. These findings suggest that beryllium sensitization is not manifested when level of beryllium in working environment are less than 0.01μg/m³. Therefore, in such cases workers do not develop Chronic beryllium disease (CBD). We concluded that the Be-LTT can be applied as a medical indicator to detect the development of CBD.

Corresponding author

Register with J-STAGE for free!