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Identification of titanium pigment in drug addicts' tissues
Author(s) -
FILHO J.C. COELHO.,
MOREIRA R.A.,
CROCKER P.R.,
LEVISON D.A.,
CORRIN B.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.1991.tb00015.x
Subject(s) - talc , titanium , magnesium , materials science , pigment , electron microprobe , nuclear chemistry , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry
Autopsy on two drug addicts who had been injecting themselves intravenously with crushed Algafan tablets (active principle, propoxyphene hydrochloride) showed crystals consistent with talc in their lungs and other organs. A fine granular material that appeared black by transmitted light was also present. Electron microprobe analysis of an Algafan tablet showed an organic core and a coating that contained titanium, magnesium, silicon and calcium. Analysis of the crystals in the tissue sections showed magnesium and silicon in proportions compatible with talc, whilst fine granular material that probably represented the black pigment registered titanium. Titanium dioxide is a common whitening agent. It appears white by reflected light, black by transmitted light and pink by polarized light. This last feature should be helpful to histopathologists examining tissue sections containing titanium.