Distribution of metals of inhaled fly ash in various organs of rats at various periods after exposure

Abstract

Effect of inhalation of coal fly ash for 6 hrs daily for fifteen days has been studied on the distribution of metal ions of fly ash in lung, liver, kidney, heart, small Intestine and serum of rats 1, 7, 15 and 30 days after the last inhalation exposure. The distribution of Na, K, Fe, Ca, Mg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Mi, Cr, Mn and Sr was studied. The results shoved a profound increase in the concentration of the above metals in all the tissues and serum of rats inhalting fly ash. The increased levels of the metals were highest one day after the last exposure and at later periods their concentration declined which varied from metal to metal and from organ to organ. Even 30 days after the exposure the retention of some elements in organs and serum of experimental group was substantially high as compared to unexposed rats.