A small animal model study of perlite and fir bark dust on guinea pig lungs.
Fir bark (Abies) and perlite (noncrystalline silicate) dusts have been reported to cause pulmonary disease in humans. Guinea pigs were exposed to either fir bark or perlite dust in a special chamber. Severe pathologic changes occurred in the lungs, consisting of lymphoid aggregated and a perivascular inflammatory response. Both dusts caused similar changes although one was vegetable (fir bark) and the other mineral (perlite). Fir bark and perlite dust appeared to be more than just nuisance dusts.
D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D014934:Wood
D004391:Dust; C003076:Perlite; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000537:Aluminum Oxide