Increased CD3 positive cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after hydrogen fluoride inhalation

Objectives This study examined whether experimental hydrogen fluoride expos ure for 1 hour induces an inflammatory response in the lower respiratory tr act that is detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Methods Nineteen healthy, nonsmoking men were exposed for 1 hour to constan t low (less than or equal to 0.6 mg/m(3)), intermediate (0.7-2.4 mg/m(3)), or high (2.5-5.2 mg/m(3)) concentrations of hydrogen fluoride. Bronchoalveo lar lavage was performed at least 3 weeks before and 24 hours after the exp osure. For 15 subjects differential countings were performed. Results There was a significant increase in the percentage of CD3 positive cells in the bronchial portion for those exposed to "intermediate" and "hig h" concentrations. For the "high" exposure group the increase in the bronch oalveolar portion was also significant. A significant correlation was found between the increase in the percentage of lymphocytes and CD3 positive cel ls in the bronchoalveolar portion (Spearman's coefficient r=0.68, P=0.008). Myeloperoxidase and interleukin-6 increased significantly in the bronchial portion for those exposed to "high" concentrations. There was a significan t increase in myeloperoxidase (P=0.005) for all the exposures, while there was a decrease in E-selectin (P=0.007). Conclusions Hydrogen fluoride may induce an inflammatory reaction in the ai rways at concentrations that can occur in the ambient air in the primary al uminum industry.