Toxicology 2
Particles
Asbestosis
- Form of occupational lung disease
- Asbestos used for centuries as flame retardant
- Exposure to asbestos dust worsened by enclosed spaces
- Symptoms 5-10 years after exposure
- Fibre size results in inability of macrophages to digest them
- 2 types of fibres
- Amphibole (thin, straight), primary disease causer - penetrates deep into lungs
- Amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite
- Serpentine (curved)
- Reach alveoli, activate inflammatory response
- Macrophages phagocytose but fibres resistant to digestion
- Macrophages rupture
- Attract more macrophages, fibroblasts
- Progressive fibrosis of the lung tissue
- Pleural thickening and calcification
- Asbestos bodies - structures formed by protein encapsulation
- Malignant neoplasms e.g. mesothelioma