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Biopersistence of cerium in the human respiratory tract and ultrastructural findings
Author(s) -
Pairon JeanClaude,
Roos Frédérique,
Sébastien Patrick,
Chamak Brigitte,
AbdAlsamad Issam,
Bernaudin JeanFrançois,
Big Jean,
Brochard Patrick
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700270304
Subject(s) - bronchoalveolar lavage , asbestos , pathology , cerium , medicine , lung , asbestosis , respiratory tract , cerium oxide , respiratory system , ultrastructure , metallurgy , oxide , anatomy , materials science
Abstract For diagnostic purposes, mineralogical analysis was performed in bronchoalveolar la‐vage fluid and lung tissue from a 58‐year‐old patient previously exposed to asbestos and rare earth dusts. No significant retention of asbestos was demonstrated in lung tissue by light microscopy (asbestos bodies) or transmission electron microscopy analysis (un‐coated fibers). Particles containing rare earth (cerium, lanthanum) and phosphorus were identified in alveolar macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and cerium‐containing particles accounted for 70% of particles observed in the lung tissue. Ultrastructural analysis of lung tissue revealed the presence of particles containing cerium and phosphorus in interstitial macrophages and elastic fibers. These results suggest that rare earth is metabolized and should be considered as biopersistent in the human respiratory tract, since occupational inquiries revealed that exposure to cerium oxide abrasive powder had ceased at least 15 years earlier.

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