Summary

In 1999, a significant number of claims for occupational diseases related to beryllium (Be) exposure were noted. Since then, the health network has been carrying out interventions in establishments in targeted activity sectors in order to better characterize this exposure in these environments and to estimate the number of workers potentially at risk. It is in this context that the authors explored the possibility of suggesting a parameter for Be exposure that is better associated with sensitization to this metal than the measure currently used. The operations in the priority sectors should identify the levels of exposure, the chemical characterization and beryllium distribution, which, in another phase, will lead to the determination of a correlation with the health effects.Be exposure was evaluated in relation to different sampling methods in four establishments in the metal processing sector: one magnesium smelter and three aluminum plants. During six sampling campaigns, five types of samplers were used, for ambient and personal sampling. According to the authors, the sampling of inhalable aerosols would be the method of choice for estimating the risk of beryllium exposure until a clear dose/response relationship is established for the different sampling sensors.