Comparative Inhalation Screen of Titanium Dioxide and Graphite Dusts
Abstract
Occupational exposure to airborne graphite may occur in manufacturing and application processes. Synthetic graphite is a pure crystalline form of carbon produced from high temperature treatment of petroleum products and contains less than 1% quartz; it is considered a nuisance dust by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Natural graphite is the mineral form of graphitic carbon and contains associated silicate minerals. Titanium dioxide is also regarded as a nuisance dust and was used as a negative control in this study. Fischer 344 rats were exposed via whole body inhalation to 100 mg/cu. m of synthetic graphite, natural graphite, and titanium dioxide for 4 hr/day for 4 days. At 24 hr and 14 days post-exposure (PE), exposed and air exposed controls were evaluated for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), physiological, and pathological changes. BAL changes were the most sensitive indicator of damage; although the enzymatic and cytological alterations were evident with all three materials, there were greater increases with the graphite dusts. By 14 days PE, all BAL changes were resolved. There appears to be no deleterious tissue reaction to any of the materials at the levels tested in this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202485
Entities
People
- Charles L. Crouse
- David C. Burnett
- Jeffrey D. Bergmann
- John C. Carpin
- Sandra A. Thomson
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center