Abstract
We have applied techniques developed previously for the characterization of morphologies and surface structures and compositions of respirable size silica-based particles to characterize similar particles recovered by lavage from the lungs of active miners. Our particular interest was to compare the physical and chemical characteristics of these particles to those of similar respirable size particles found in the mining environment (roof-bolter-box dust samples, respirator filters). The results show that the morphologies and surface compositions of silica-based particles recovered from lung macrophages differ markedly from those of silica-based particles commonly found in mine dusts. Also, particle structures and compositions differed among the samples recovered from three individual miners. The results suggest that intracellular processes associated with particle—macrophage interaction may affect the response of different individuals to exposure to silica-containing dusts.