Mechanical damage to rabbit tracheal epithelium from inhaling inert pyrite dust of needle - like structure. Part I.
The effect of pyrite dust inhalation on the ultrastructure of rabbit tracheal epithelium was studied as a model of mechanic damage of the epithelium from a chemically practically inert aerosol of needle-like structure. Rabbits were eposed to a mean pyrite dust concentration of 49.7 mg/m3 in a solid-aerosol inhalation chamber for intervals of 1/2,2 or 8 h. At each interval, tissue from three animals was examined. Dust particles were found to penetrate gradually into and affect epithelial cells but were not transported further by the cells or phagocytized. Dust particles especially cumulated in the secretory goblet cells. The ciliary border was also deranged and consequently the vital self-cleaning function of the respiratory passages epithelium was impaired.