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608 Dental Office Safety
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Beryllium

Beryllium, atomic number 4, is a brittle, steel-gray metal found as a component of coal, oil, certain rock minerals, volcanic dust, and soil. Beryllium is the second lightest of all metals and is used in a wide variety of applications.

Dental alloys can contain beryllium and can cause a serious lung disease.

In its elemental form, beryllium has the unique properties of being light weight and extremely stiff. It is used as a metal alloy in dental appliances.

OSHA is concerned cases of chronic beryllium disease (CBD) are occurring among dental laboratory technicians working with dental alloys containing beryllium.

CBD is a serious lung disease that can be disabling and even fatal. The serious disease may occur among dental laboratory technicians when they inhale dust containing beryllium when working on items such as dental crowns, bridges, and partial denture frameworks made from dental alloys containing beryllium.

Chronic Beryllium Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Chronic Beryllium Disease include:

  • cough
  • shortness of breath (especially with activity)
  • chest pain
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite

It is important to note NOT all individuals with these symptoms have CBD. These can be symptoms of other conditions which may also require medical attention. Not all people with CBD have all of these symptoms.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-3. Shortness of breath while actively working, it may be a symptom of _____.