NONFIBROUS INORGANIC PARTICLES IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID OF POTTERY WORKERS

Aim - To study the actual exposure of pottery workers to silica partic les, as their risk of silicosis is potentially high because of the pre sence of inhalable crystalline silica particles in the workplace. Meth ods - Nine pottery workers underwent bronchoalveolar lavage. The recov ered fluid was analysed for cytological and mineralogical content by a nalytical transmission electron microscopy. The data were compared wit h those obtained from a control group composed of seven patients with sarcoidosis and six patients with haemoptysis. Results - Cytological r esults showed a similar profile in exposed workers and controls, where as in patients with sarcoidosis a lymphocytic alveolitis was found. Mi croanalysis of the particulate identified the presence of silicates, C RSs, and metals. Pottery workers had higher numbers of total particles and CRSs, and had a higher silicate/metal ratio. In five workers, the presence of zirconium silicate was also detected. Patients with sarco idosis had the lowest number of particles, and an inverted silicate/me tal ratio. Conclusion - Microanalysis by transmission electron microsc ope can provide useful information to assess occupational exposure to dusts.