Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

Constituent
Beryllium
Cadmium
Acute Toxicity Summary
Acute lung disease (cheinical pneumonitis) has been
observed immediately after inhalation of aerosols of
.soluble and insoluble beryllium compounds in broken
fluorescent light tubes. Several months after exposure the
entire respiratory tract may become inflamed with
fulminating pneumonitis in severe reactions. Recoveries
usually occur within weeks, but fatalities have occurred.
In studies with monkeys, high concentrations of aerosols of
beryllium fluoride or beryllium phosphate produced severe
lung reactions in all animals and damaged the liver and
kidney as well as affecting adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, and
spleen; many lesions were similar to those inpatients who
died of pneumonitis. Conjunctivitis and contact dermatitis
may follow exposure to beryllium, with skin lesions or
ulcerations. Beryllium compounds may produce
hypersensitivity with delayed allergic reactions.
For acute exposure by ingestion, symptoms of cadmium
toxicity included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular
cramps, salivation, spasms, drop in blood pressure, vertigo,
loss of consciousness, and collapse. Acute renal kilure,
liver damage, and death may occur. Exposure by
inhalation can cause irritation, coughing, labored
respiration, vomiting, acute chemical pneumonitis, and
pulmonary edema.
TABLE 7.1-44 (CONTINUED)
TOXICITY PROFILES FOR INDICATOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Chronic Toxicity Summary
The lung is a major target organ for toxic
effects of beryllium. Berylliosis, a chronic
granulomatous lung disease that is frequently
fatal, has been described for over 40 years
among workers exposed to insoluble
beryllium compounds; symptoms may
include shortness of breath, cyanosis,
clubbed fingers, and lesions that progress to
fibrotic tissue and nodules with respiratory
dysfunction.
Respiratory and renal toxicity are major
effects in workers. Chronic oral exposures
can produce kidney damage. Cadmium
accumulates in kidney, and nephropathy
results after critical concentration in kidney
is reached, probably about 200 glg.
Inhalation can cause chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, - including bronchitis,
progressive fibrosis, and emphysema.
Chronic exposure affects calcium
metabolism and can cause loss of calcium
from bone, bone pain, osteomalacia, and
osteoporosis. Chronic exposure may be
associated with hypertension. Cadmium can
produce testicular atrophy, sterility, and
teratogenic effects in experimental animals.
Cancer Potential
Beryllium compounds or alloys
have produced cancer in rats,
rabbits, and monkeys. Lung
tumors have been reported in dts
and monkeys exposed by
inhalation, intratracheally, or
intrabronchial implantation, and
bone tumors have been produced
in rabbits after intravenous or
intraosseus administration.
Excess lung cancer has been
observed in some studies of
workers occupationally exposed
to beryllium, but data on exposure
and confounding factors were
lacking. Beryllium and its
compounds have been classified
by IARC as having sufficient
evidence of being carcinogenic in
animals and limited evidence in
humans, and by EPA as a
probable human carcinogen.
Some beryllium compounds are
mutagenic in vitro.
Increased risk of prostate cancer
and perhaps respiratory tract
cancer have been seen in workers
exposed by inhalation. No
evidence of carcinogenicity from
chronic oral exposure exists.
Other
Wide variations in individual
sensitivity have been reported, perhaps
because of an immune reaction;
individuals exposed to low doses may
exhibit severe effects. Beryllium is
stored in the body for many years with
detectable amounts in lung reported as
long as 23 years after exposure. .