Chronic Beryllium Disease Awareness, Home page

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental, Health, Safety and Security (EHSS), welcome to the Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) Awareness Web site. The primary audience for the CBD Awareness Web site is: (1) former and current DOE Federal and contractor workers; (2) practicing clinicians; and (3) health care educators and researchers. The CBD Awareness Web site was developed as the result of a partnership between EHSS, workers, labor organizations, and the occupational medicine community. The CBD Awareness Web site is part of EHSS' initiative to provide information to the worker community, as well as the medical community, and to enhance the likelihood of timely diagnosis and treatment of potential CBD cases. The main driver for this effort is the concern associated with the potential difficulties experienced by beryllium-sensitized or CBD victims in receiving appropriate medical care within medical communities that may lack specific training in the care of beryllium-affected patients. The medical community at large does not generally encounter cases of CBD or have extensive knowledge of the disease, and as such does not often generate medical documentation that adequately captures the relationship between the presenting illness (i.e., a secondary effect or consequential condition of CBD or its treatment) with the underlying condition of CBD. It is with deep appreciation that we commend the extraordinary dedication and commitment of the beryllium-affected workers who have tirelessly worked with us to help others. The CBD information card displayed on the left side is an easy-to-carry pocket reference for former/current workers to share with their primary physicians. Please be aware that the information presented in the CBD Awareness Web site is intended as a general information resource. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and the care provided by your physician. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. For further information, please contact the DOE Office of Environment, Health and Safety at (301) 903-5926.