Analysis of titanium pigments in human lung tissue

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Methods are described for the unequivocal identification of mineral deposits in lung tissues obtained during the autopsy of a titanium dioxide-exposed worker who died of an undifferentiated malignant tumor. The methods included scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron and X-ray diffractometry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The presence of considerable amounts of rutile was revealed. Despite this heavy loading, no lung tissue reaction was evident. Within the limits imposed by the period since the first exposure (6 yr), this finding support the supposition that the rutile crystal modification of titanium dioxide is biologically inert.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: