Authors : Antonio Rivera, Lilia Cedillo, Silvia Giono, Lucero Cuautle, Lorena Milflores and Antonio Yanez
Abstract: Although, at least 455 millions people word-wide live within potential exposure range of a volcano active within recorder history, surprisingly little primary epidemiological research on the health effects of volcanic emissions has been published. There may be important differences between volcanoes and between events from the same volcano in terms of eruption pattern, gaseous emissions, base composition of ash, compounds adsorbed onto ash particles, the percentage of particles small enough to be respirable and toxicological activity. Volcanic ash has been shown to activate alveolar macrophages, initiating events that cause neutrophils to infiltrate the respiratory tract. The purpose of the present study was evaluating lung damage of inhalation exposure to volcanic ash. Volcanic ash that had fallen into a polyethylene bucket at the foot of Popocatepetl volcano was collected in the locality of Atlixco-Puebla and ash samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Experimental group animals were exposed to 10 mg m-3 of volcanic ash for 60 days. Fixed lungs were processed to paraffin blocks, sectioned at an approximate thickness of 5 μm, placed on glass slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Scanning electron microscopy analysis ash samples it showed presence of respirable fraction <10 μm. Experimental group showed decreased body weight (13%), showing significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to control group. Hematocrite analysis not showed significant changes, but the blood differential count showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups studied. Histopathology study on experimental samples showed neutrophils and plasmatic cells infiltration and inflammatory reaction.
Antonio Rivera, Lilia Cedillo, Silvia Giono, Lucero Cuautle, Lorena Milflores and Antonio Yanez, 2009. Lung Damage in Rats Following Inhalation Exposure of the Popocatepetl Volcano Ash. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 1104-1109.