Chronic inhalation exposure of hamsters to nickel-enriched fly ash

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(81)90198-5· OSTI ID:5868938

Wehner, A P; Dagle, G E; Milliman, E M

Hamsters were chronically exposed to approx.70 ..mu..g/liter respirable nickel-enriched fly ash (NEFA) aerosol, approx.17 ..mu..g/liter NEFA, or approx.70 ..mu..g/liter fly ash (FA) for up to 20 months. A control group received sham exposures. The NEFA particles of respirable size contained approximately 6% nickel, compared to about 0.3% for FA. Five hamsters/group were sacrificed after 4, 8, 12, or 16 months of exposure. An additional five hamsters/group were withdrawn from exposure at the same intervals for lifelong observations. Exposures to NEFA had no significant effect on body weight and life span of the animals although heavy deposits of NEFA in the lungs were demonstrated. However, lung weights of the high NEFA- and of the FA-exposed animals were significantly higher than those of the low-NEFA group and the controls, and mean lung volumes were significantly larger for the high-NEFA grop and the FA group than for the low-NEFA group and the controls. Dust was deposited (anthracosis) in the lungs of all exposed hamsters. Incidence and severity of interstitial reaction and bronchiolization were significantly higher in the dust-exposed groups than in the sham-exposed controls. The severity of anthracosis, interstitial reaction, and bronchiolization was significantly lower in the low-NEFA group than in the high-NEFA and FA groups. While two malignant primary thorax tumors were found in two hamsters of the high-NEFA group, no statistically significant carcinogenesis was observed. Of the exposure-related changes, only anthracosis decreased after withdrawal from exposure. Pulmonary nickel burdens after 20 months of exposure suggest that the pulmonary clearance rate was slower in the high-NEFA group than in the low-NEFA group.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
• OSTI ID: 5868938
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 26:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOL WASTES
ANIMALS
ASHES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
FLY ASH
HAMSTERS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
METALS
NICKEL
ORGANS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES