Fettler's disease with smoke inhalation: particles within the lung.
In August 1985, a 72-year-old man died in the Manchester air disaster. Transmission electron microscopy of his lung tissue revealed not only inhaled smoke particles, but a large population of distinctive particles with different characteristics. These contain silicon and iron, as well as carbon and oxygen, and are thought to be related to his occupation as a fettler and to the extensive fibrosis seen on routine histology.
Mitchelson
B P
BP
RAF Institute of Pathology and Tropical Medicine, RAF Halton, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Drysdale
H C
HC
Balfour
A J
AJ
D000060:Accidents, Aviation; D000368:Aged; D002059:Burns, Inhalation / Q000473:pathology*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D004739:England; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012825:Silicon / Q000032:analysis
D002244:Carbon; D012825:Silicon