[Biological evaluation of the aggressiveness of copper slag dust]

By hemolytic, intraperitoneal and intratracheal tests, biological effects of the copper slag dust, which has recently been used in casts cleaning processes, have been investigated. It was found that the copper slag dust is not biologically inert. It exhibits slight fibrogenic properties resulting in fibrous changes after lung administration. The fibrosis resembles that of collagenosis. The fibrous reaction, in form of granulomas with developed procollagenic fibres, was found on intraperitoneal dust administration. Three and six months after intratracheal insufflation of 50 mg of the dust a significant increase in the content of hydroxyproline and lipids in lungs, as compared to controls, was found. Histopathological test revealed the connective tissue multiplication, of focal type, around dust clusters, forming granulomas consisting of macrophages and other mononuclear cells. In the hemolytic test the slag dust induced hemolysis of 7% ram erythrocytes. The test dust should be classified as weakly fibrogenic.