An updated mortality study of beryllium workers, 1925-2020

Objective Update and expand a cohort of beryllium workers, to examine risks associated with beryllium solubility and mortality from lung cancer, all cancers, all causes, as well as other neoplasms (kidney, bladder, central nervous system) and other non-malignant respiratory disease (ONMRD). Methods Conducted a retrospective cohort study of 17,149 workers employed in 15 United States (US) facilities (1925-2020). Data were analyzed using standardized mortality ratios referencing the US population and Cox models. Results Lung cancer mortality was elevated among mixed beryllium (soluble and insoluble-exposed) workers hired pre-1955, but not among insoluble-only workers during any period. ONMRD mortality was significantly elevated in the total cohort, driven by mortality among mixed-exposure facilities and among workers hired pre-1955. Conclusions No increase in lung cancer or other mortality for any timeframe for workers at insoluble-only beryllium facilities was observed.