Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Deposition of Crocidolite asbestos and glass microfibers inhaled by the beagle dog

Journal Article · · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

The respiratory tract deposition of neutron activated Crocidolite asbestos and glass microfibers was determined in two groups of four Beagle dogs. The dogs were given 60-minute, nose-only inhalation exposures to an aerosol of either asbestos or glass fibers. The radioactivity in tissues and excreta four days after exposure was used to determine the fraction of inhaled fibers deposited in the upper respiratory tract and the deep lung. The activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD), count median diameter (CMD) and count median length (CML) were determined from fibers sampled during exposure. Crocidolite asbestos fibers had an AMAD of 1.8 ..mu..m, a CMD of 0.25 ..mu..m and a CML < 5 ..mu..m. The fraction of inhaled mass deposited in deep lung was 13-19%, while total deposition in the respiratory tract was 54-72%. Glass microfibers had an AMAD of 2.5 ..mu..m, a CMD of 0.15 ..mu..m and a CML of 5.4 ..mu... Five to 17% of the mass of glass fiber was deposited in the deep lung; total respiratory tract deposition was 45-64%. The deposition patterns were similar for these small asbestos and glass fibers inhaled by dogs and in good agreement with previous predictions made for man. 24 references, 4 figures, 5 tables.

Research Organization:
Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76EV01013
OSTI ID:
5876580
Journal Information:
Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 44:3; ISSN AIHAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English