Chronic Beryllium Disease Awareness, Worker Community page

This section is intended to provide information and resources to assist DOE Former Workers and Current Workers with basic information on medical screening, surveillance, and to provide answers to key questions. It is also important that if it is determined that a condition is related to CBD, that the proper diagnosis is made, because it may impact eligibility and coverage under compensation programs and insurances.

In a national effort to identify current and former workers who have CBD or are sensitized to beryllium and to better understand the illness, DOE has set up a number of medical screening/surveillance and research programs for both current and former workers.

Workers who are currently employed at a DOE site can obtain more detailed information about beryllium surveillance programs by contacting the occupational medicine department at the site.

The DOE, through its Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, sponsors free beryllium screening for former workers from all DOE sites.

Participation in the program is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to give your written consent to pursue screening, complete a questionnaire about your work history, and some general health-related questions. You can obtain more information about the Former Worker Screening Programs by clicking here.

Individuals having one or more abnormal BeLPT may file a claim with the Department of Labor (DOL) under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). If the claim is accepted, DOL will pay for medical evaluation and testing related to beryllium disease. DOL Resource Centers are available around the U.S. to assist workers with applying for claims under EEOICPA.

Twelve (12) resource centers help employees and families file for benefits under the EEOICPA. A list of resource centers can be located at the U.S. Department of Labor's web site or you may contact a center by dialing a number provided below:

Anchorage, Alaska

(888) 654-0014

Idaho Falls, Idaho

(800) 861-8608

Espanola, New Mexico

(866) 272-3622

North Augusta, South Carolina

(866) 666-4606

Livermore, California

(866) 606-6302

Paducah, Kentucky

(866) 534-0599

Amherst, New York

(800) 941-3943

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

(866) 481-0411

Westminster, Colorado

(866) 540-4977

Las Vegas, Nevada

(866) 697-0841

Portsmouth, Ohio

(866) 363-6993

Richland, Washington

(888) 654-0014

U.S. Department of Labor Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA)

Medical experts believe that the BeLPT shows abnormal results in individuals who have become "sensitized" to beryllium and that sensitization is the first step to getting CBD. Studies have shown that practically all individuals with CBD also are sensitized. On the other hand, many individuals that are sensitized to beryllium do not have CBD. Sensitization means that the person was exposed to beryllium and that his or her body has become hypersensitive. It means that an individual is more likely than others to get CBD, but the individual may never get CBD or may get a mild case of CBD, especially if the individual's exposure was low.

Medical experts recommend that persons who are currently working with or around beryllium have the BeLPT blood test every year. It is recommended that current workers who have worked with or around beryllium in the past but who no longer work with beryllium have the BeLPT every 3 years. If symptoms of CBD develop, BeLPT testing along with a rigorous medical evaluation should be done as soon as possible to establish a diagnosis. You may be eligible to receive retesting through the appropriate DOE medical screening program.

Medical experts believe that people who are no longer working with beryllium and have had 2-3 normal BeLPTs at three year intervals are most likely not sensitized to beryllium. Experts also believe that those individuals who have been sensitized will have been identified by then and should get regular follow-up evaluations to watch for symptoms that may need treatment. If you develop symptoms that might be related to CBD, have concerns about having CBD symptoms, or have a respiratory condition that your physician cannot diagnose, your physician may have you take a BeLPT test.

For additional information and resources please click here.