Pulmonary toxicity of a coal liquefaction distillate product

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5559557

Haschek, W M; Boling, M E; Guerin, M R; Witschi, H P

The pulmonary toxicity of coal derived liquids are under study. Results on a sample from the ZnCl/sub 2/ hydrocracking process are presented as an example. We obtained data on its distribution and persistence in the lung as well as the tissue reaction elicited. We also examined individual chemical fractions to determine which was responsible for pulmonary toxicity. Fifty ..mu..l of the distillate or fraction was administered intratracheally to adult male SPF Fisher rats which were then killed at varying time-points, ranging from 1 to 60 days after administration. Enzyme analysis of pulmonary lavage fluid, /sup 3/H-thymidine incorporation into pulmonary DNA, autoradiography, light and fluorescence microscopy were performed. At necropsy the distillate, a black viscid fluid, could be seen within major airways in some lobes. Extensive consolidation and atelectasis or, less frequently, overinflation was present in affected lobes. Twenty-four hours after administration the distillate remained visible in large and small airways as well as in the adjacent parenchyma producing a suppurative necrotizing bronchiolitis and pneumonitis. Within 4 days a histiocytic-fibroblastic reaction to the distillate resulted in granulomatous lesions in the parenchyma, as well as polypoid hyperplasia and obliterating bronchiolitis in the severely damaged airways. Extensive epithelial changes consisting of goblet and columnar cell hyperplasia, as well as squamous metaplasia with focal dysplasia were present throughout the respiratory tract at this time. Similar lesions were produced by the ether-soluble acid fraction, while the mono- and di-aromatic fraction produced less severe lesions which were localized to the airways. After 60 days the product distillate, primarily localized within granulomas, still persisted within the lung as visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Mucoid bronchiolitis with scattered polypoid hyperplasia, as well as epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia were also present.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5559557
• Report Number(s): CONF-791002-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COAL LIQUIDS
DISEASES
FRACTIONATION
GRANULOMAS
HISTOLOGY
INTRATRACHEAL ADMINISTRATION
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIQUEFACTION
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATHOLOGY
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES