Changes in health status of underground and beryllium-exposed workers from the Nevada Test Site

Objective: To examine changes in health status among participants in the Nevada Test Site (NTS) Medical Screening Program.

Methods: Participants involved in underground testing or who worked in a beryllium-exposed job for at least one year were eligible for a follow-up medical screening three or more years after initial screening. Each participant completed a work and medical history questionnaire and had medical screening tests including CBC, spirometry, and chest x-ray with b-reading. Participants were categorized into three groups according to when and where they worked at NTS. Group 1 consists of those who began work at NTS during the atmospheric period (°Ü1963) and worked underground (n=186), group 2 is comprised of those who worked underground after 1963 (n=371), and group 3 is those who worked after 1963 and did not work underground (n=49).

Results: 635 participants had follow-up screening. Significant changes in red blood cell indices were observed in all groups and will be reported. Groups 1 and 2 also exhibited changes in spirometry: FEV1 (group 1=-2.49%, p=.03; group 2=-4.01%, p=<.0001), and FEV1/FVC (group 1=-0.06 %, p=<.0001; group 2=-0.05%, p=<.0001). 89 of the 626 participants who had a second b-reading had a change in profusion score, 21 of whom progressed to 1/0 or greater. Linear regression modeling was used to determine the significant predictors of change in pulmonary function and b-reading and will be reported.

Conclusion: Significant changes in health status were observed among participants who performed underground work at NTS compared to those who did not work underground.