Certain hexavalent chromium compounds when administered via inhalation have the potential to induce lung injury in human and experimental animals. In present study, the inhalation effect of hexavalent chromium on morphological change and weight change of rat organ were investigated.
Rats were exposed to hexavalent chromium (Na₂CrO₄. 4H₂O) at concentration of 0.36 mg/m³ (group 1), 1.8 mg/m³ (group 2), ascorbic acid and 1.8 mg/m³ (group 3) and filtered air (group 0, control group) for 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks.
The weight of lung and kidney in group 2 and group 3 significantly higher than in control group at same exposure period/ The epithilial cells of bronchiole in group 1, 2, 3 were more flatten than group 0. In the lung, the number of macrophage was significantly increased an morphologically changed macrophages were observed in group 1, 2, 3. The morphological change of the lung did not significant between group 2 and group 3, however, in group 1 was milder than in group 2 and group 3. The severity of morphological change were depend on exposure period in the lung. The morphological changes by hexavalent chromium of the liver and kidney were also observed.
These results suggest that inhalation of hexavalent chromium effects on not only respiratory organ, but also the liver and the kidney via blood stream.
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