Investigation on the pulmonary effects of intermetallic beryllium compounds. Progress report, January 1--December 31, 1976. [Copper, tantalum, and niobium beryllides]
Rats were given metallic beryllium, copper, tantalum, and niobium beryllide intratracheally. The rats that received metallic beryllium or tantalum beryllide developed very severe pulmonary infection and died within one week. Following short-term experiments, the number of pulmonary macrophages was increased by exposure to beryllium. The effect of tantalum beryllide was to cause fibrosis and hyperplasia of the epithelium of respiratory bronchioles. Niobium and copper beryllide exhibited an infiltration by lymphocytes in the bronchioles. Results indicated that metallic beryllium and tantalum beryllide caused more severe effects on the pulmonary tissue. (HLW)