Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
3101080 
Journal Article 
An Animal Model for Inhalation Exposure to Talc 
Wagner, JC; Berry, G; Hill, RJ; Skidmore, JW 
1979 
Yes 
Cancer Letters
ISSN: 0304-3835
EISSN: 1872-7980 
NIOSH/00096319 
6 
6342 
183-192 
The effects of talc inhalation on development of pulmonary fibrosis were studied. Rats were exposed to 10.8 milligrams per cubic meter of an Italian nonfibrous talc dust for 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week for 3, 6 or 12 months. Comparison rats were exposed to chrysotile (12001295) asbestos and controls remained untreated. Ten days after the final exposure, some rats were sacrificed to determine dust content and fibrosis of the lungs. Other rats were maintained for 1 year prior to sacrifice. After 3, 6 and 12 months of talc exposure, average dust concentrations in the lungs were 2.8, 4.5 and 12.3 milligrams, respectively. Fibrosis was evident at 3 months, and progressed after exposure was discontinued. The degree of fibrosis induced by talc was similar to that induced by chrysotile. Lung tumor incidence was increased only in chrysotile exposed rats.