M. Falchi et al., INORGANIC PARTICLES IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUIDS FROM NON-OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED SUBJECTS, Archives of environmental health, 51(2), 1996, pp. 157-161
This study comprised 30 patients who had not been exposed occupational
ly to dusts, but for whom a diagnosis of suspected pulmonary carcinoma
had been made. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from these patients were
analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and by energy-dispersive
x-ray microanalysis in an effort to study the mineral particulate pre
sent in the alveolar region. Particles of silica, silicates, oxides, s
ulphates, and metal alloys were detected in various percentages in eac
h subject. The smoking habits of two groups of patients that were defi
ned by their bronchoalveolar lavage particulate concentrations (i.e.,
lower or higher than the median of the distribution) differed signific
antly.