Isolation and characterization of fly ash from rat lung tissue

Inhaled fly ash may be leached by lung fluids, making potentially toxic trace elements in the fly ash bioavailable. We studied the composition and morphology of fly ash particles recovered from lungs of rats exposed to fly ash from a power plant burning pulverized eastern coal. Animals were sacrificed 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after the commencement of the 4-wk exposures. Particles isolated from lungs of exposed animals, control fly ash samples, and samples recovered from control lungs spiked with fly ash were characterized by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) and thin window energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). EDS spectra of fly ash and ashed lung residues were distinct. Thus, fly ash particles could be distinguished from ashed lung residues. A majority of the fly ash particles recovered from lungs of exposed animals had similar morphology and composition to the exposure material. However, the number of silicon-rich particles decreased with time. After 6 mo, about 1% by number of the particles had been transformed, producing numerous "needles" associated with residues of fly ash particles. Particles that looked like diatoms were observed. This demonstrated that the sample preparation procedures used did not destroy delicate structures. Fly ash particles from a spiked control lung subjected to the same separation procedures did not have these structures. The structures may be the result of leaching of particles by lung fluids, which suggests that the glassy matrix components of fly ash particles may be bioavailable.