Study of inflammatory responses to crocidolite and basalt wool in the rat lung

The subacute effects of crocidolite and basalt wool dusts were studied by m eans of biochemical, morphological, and histological methods 1 and 3 mo aft er intrabronchial instillation. The cell count, protein and phospholipid co ntents, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined in the bro nchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Both types of fibers induced a prolonged inflamm atory reaction in the lung. All the parameters studied in the experimental groups were more markedly elevated after 3 mo. Relative to the control, the protein and LDH values were increased three- to fivefold, the phospholipid content twofold and the number of free cells in the BAL exceeded the contr ol level up to ninefold. The inflammatory responses to crocidolite and basa lt wool in the lung did not differ significantly. In spite of this, basalt wool is recommended as an asbestos substitute, as the use of this man-made fiber may result in a significantly lower release of dust than that from cr ocidolite.