Chelating Agents in the Therapy of Beryllium Poisoning

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Abstract
PNEUMONOCONIOSIS associated with heavy-metal inhalation has long resisted most forms of therapy. The development of chelating agents offers a new approach to this problem. This report concerns our efforts to study the effect of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) on the urinary excretion of beryllium in 2 patients with beryllium pneumonoconiosis. After beryllium pneumonoconiosis had been proved in these cases by lung biopsy a trial of chelation therapy was suggested as a useful adjuvant in the treatment of this disease. Certain theoretical considerations led us to believe that this agent might be effective in lowering the body stores of ionized beryllium. . . .