Talks

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The United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR) was established in 1968 as Plutonium Registry by the Atomic Energy Commission. Today, the USTUR and the associated National Human Radiobiological Tissue Repository (NHRTR) is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Health Studies and Former Workers Programs (EHSS-12). The USTUR mission is to study biokinetics (uptake, translocation, retention, and excretion), and tissue dosimetry of plutonium, americium, uranium, and other actinides by following up former nuclear workers with documented intakes of these elements, who volunteered their bodies for scientific use posthumously (Registrants). The Registries collects tissue samples at autopsies and holds detailed work history, radiation exposure, and industrial hygiene records including self-reported information on beryllium exposure. Out of 384 Registrants, 104 self‑reported working with beryllium, and most of these individuals were accidentally exposed to plutonium at DOE facilities. There is limited data published on beryllium concentrations and distribution in the human body. A pilot study was conducted by the USTUR to measure beryllium in various tissues from selected whole-body cases. It was found that systemic beryllium primarily accumulated in the skeleton followed by the liver and other soft tissues. These analyses provided important information on beryllium distribution in the human body. The Registries currently holds more than 3,000 acid‑digested tissue samples that were previously analyzed for actinides and are now available for beryllium measurements. Frozen and paraffin‑embedded tissues are also available, providing a unique opportunity to advance scientific understanding of beryllium biokinetics, and long‑term distribution in the human body - critical knowledge for improving exposure models, refining health‑protection standards, and supporting evidence‑based worker safety programs across the DOE complex.

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While the health risks associated with occupational beryllium exposures such as chronic beryllium disease can affect both men and women, there is need for additional research into women's occupational exposures to chemical agents including beryllium. Historically, across sectors, hazards, and geographies, women have been underrepresented in occupational health studies, standards and guidance. Specific exposure risks and routes and rates of exposure have not been adequately assessed for women. Women are often underrepresented in research and in particular within male-dominated industries (e.g., mining, construction, some subsectors of manufacturing). In the literature, women are reported to carry more of the burden of occupational disease. Recent research indicates that while men traditionally have higher rates of fatal work injuries, women are more likely to experience chronic occupational diseases. Women can experience different rates of chemical exposure through the skin and lungs when compared with men. This is due to contributing biological differences such as skin thickness and hormonal variations. Research indicates that women often have higher rates of dermal absorption than men (and this could be very relevant for soluble beryllium species that have a skin notation assigned by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Throughout a women's lifecycle, hormones can impact lung function and respiratory mechanics, altering chemical absorption rates during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. More research is required that includes: • Exposure routes and rates of absorption for women • Diseases with delayed onset and systemic sensitivity • Effects of estrogen and progesterone on lung function and respiratory mechanics, and • Studies with more women and research data that is disaggregated by sex This presentation will provide a brief review of women's occupational health issues with a focus on beryllium. It will explain the current challenges in the area of women's occupational health and the need for improved occupational health research, standards and guidance for women. References and resources will be provided along with suggested next steps.

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The use of beryllium and its alloys in high-energy physics applications at CERN requires a robust and institution-specific regulatory approach due to the material's toxicity and the stringent cleanliness constraints associated with accelerator components. This article presents the development and implementation of a dedicated internal framework formalized through Safety Guideline SG-C-0-0-6, reaffirming mandatory requirements for risk assessment, exposure prevention, contamination control, waste management, and medical surveillance related to beryllium activities at CERN. SG-C-0-0-6 provides detailed instructions for the implementation of existing CERN Safety Rules which define clear roles and responsibilities for line management, safety officers, supervisors, and operational personnel. It introduces a graded risk-based approach covering design of engineering controls at source, organizational measures and access restrictions, air and surface monitoring strategies and qualification of work areas. The guideline integrates occupational exposure limits and acceptable surface contamination levels with operational constraints specific to CERN's technical infrastructure. To ensure effective implementation, a structured safety training programme was developed and deployed. The programme addresses supervisors, persons working directly with beryllium and its alloys, and personnel handling beryllium-containing components. Training combines regulatory requirements, toxicological fundamentals, safe work practices, emergency response, and hands-on contamination control exercises. The article discusses the risk-based methodology underpinning SG-C-0-0-6 and the challenges encountered during institutional deployment,

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Beryllium is a critical industrial material and a potent occupational toxicant capable of causing beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Persistent disease occurring even at regulated exposure levels led the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to adopt a surveillance‑driven prevention strategy. Under 10 CFR Part 850, DOE established the Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program (CBDPP) in 1999, centered on medical surveillance using the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) to identify BeS in asymptomatic workers. To enable effective, long‑term surveillance across a large and mobile workforce, the Beryllium‑Associated Worker Registry (BAWR) began operation in 2002. The BAWR collects and maintains health and exposure information for individuals potentially at risk for CBD due to current or past work at DOE‑owned or leased facilities. Supported by the DOE Office of Health Studies and Former Worker Programs, the Registry serves as a surveillance system for workers with known or potential beryllium exposure. Registry data are analyzed to improve understanding of disease risk. In addition, BAWR data are used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of DOE's CBDPP. Information derived from the BAWR has informed improvements in engineering controls, work practices, contamination management, and institutional understanding of both current and legacy beryllium hazards across DOE facilities. As beryllium use expands into advanced nuclear construction and emerging fusion energy technologies—introducing potentially novel exposure pathways—the BAWR remains an essential, evidence‑based tool for early risk detection, regulatory decision‑making, and sustained protection of worker health while supporting national security and energy missions.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), offering innovative solutions for enhancing workplace safety and health. This presentation introduces the fundamental applications of AI in OHS, positioning AI as a crucial supportive tool designed to augment, not replace, human expertise. We will explore AI's potential to revolutionize and enable proactive risk communication. A key focus will be on AI's contributions to risk communication, an area where its impact can be profound. AI can significantly improve how OHS information is disseminated and understood across various stakeholder groups: • Public Communication: AI can personalize safety messages, analyze public perception of risk, and tailor educational content to different demographics, making complex OHS information more accessible and engaging. • Leadership/Management Communication: AI-powered dashboards and predictive analytics can provide leaders with clear, concise, and actionable insights into OHS performance, benchmarking, facilitating informed decision-making and resource allocation. • Worker Communication: Through interactive modules, personalized training, and real-time alerts delivered via wearable devices, AI can improve workers' understanding of hazards and safe work practices. This is particularly valuable for complex and nuanced risks, such as communicating the dangers and necessary precautions associated with beryllium exposure, ensuring that critical knowledge is effectively transferred and retained. While AI offers immense promise, it is imperative to address significant challenges, including implementation costs, data quality, algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and the 'black box' nature of some AI systems. Ultimately, this presentation underscores the enduring necessity of a "human-in-the-loop" approach, emphasizing that human critical thinking, nuanced judgment, ethical consideration, and effective risk communication remain indispensable. Responsibly integrating AI requires a clear understanding of its limitations, ensuring it augments human capabilities to create safer workplaces while upholding the principles of ethical practice and human oversight.

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Workers occupationally exposed to beryllium are at risk of developing beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Risk of developing disease is related to both exposure and genetics. Some workforces use the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) as part of medical surveillance. BeLPT testing identifies workers with abnormal BeLPT's and recommends additional clinical testing to ascertain whether an individual has developed lung pathology consistent with CBD. These individuals are at risk of developing symptoms affecting quality of life and require regular follow-up and collaboration between their local primary care providers and pulmonary specialists. This presentation will review the tests utilized in a diagnostic clinical evaluation and the findings consistent with beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). These include: • Detailed history and physical, with focus on occupational exposures • Pulmonary function tests • Radiography (chest x-ray with B read, or chest CT) • Lung lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy • Cardiopulmonary exercise testing • BeLPT of lavage fluid Dr. Maier will discuss recommendations for both PPE, and/or removal from further occupational exposure. Recommendations for follow-up of individuals with both BeS and CBD will be provided. Treatment options for workers who have progressed to symptomatic disease will be outlined.

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Beryllium release incidents could potentially present a significant risk to workers and the public. Increased use of beryllium in fusion energy tritium breeding, lithium beryllium fluoride (FLiBE)/ beryllium molten salts and continued beryllium use in nuclear reactors as neutron moderators, reflectors, and fuel element cladding and in nuclear weapons components have created greater potential for unexpected beryllium release incidents. Operational and production facilities should have a procedure for unplanned releases. Deactivation and demolition of legacy nuclear reactors, production and support facilities have unique risks. Legacy beryllium contamination in decommissioned facilities could complicate efforts in source identification and control and in development of mitigation strategies. Unexpected releases can pose difficult challenges to occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. Prompt remedial action and good, open, honest, timely and frequent communication are extremely important to effectively manage a release incident of any potentially hazardous substance, including beryllium. Risk assessment is necessary to make informed judgement decisions. The purpose of this presentation is to offer guidance in effective beryllium release incident response with the objective of providing meeting attendees with a basic understanding of risk communication. The presentation underscores the importance of providing an industry standard-of-care in responding to beryllium release incidents using a methodical recovery strategy.

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