Abstract
A procedure for the enzymatic digestion of human lung tissue based on studies utilizing ficin, bromelin, and pronase is described; and the recovery of coal dust from bituminous coal miners' lungs by enzymatic solubilization is compared to recoveries of coal dust by the sodium hydroxide digestion procedure of King and Gil-christ. Since the application of enzymatic digestion as an analytical method is relatively simple, requiring minimum surveillance and equipment, the use of enzymes to degrade protein provides a convenient method for the recovery of dust and other solid materials from tissue.