Pollution Research Paper

HEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PAINT THINNER FUMES INHALATION IN WHITE ALBINO MICE

AMAL ALI HUSSEIN

Abstract

In this study the toxicological effects were evaluated of inhalation exposure to nitrocellulose and polyurethane (PU) thinner paint fumes. Experimental mice were used to inhale fume of nitrocellulose and polyurethane separately, where they have been placed in exposure chamber while the control group was kept in fume free chamber. The exposure test was 15 mins every day for period of 60 days at room temperature. Nitrocellulose showed significant increase in hemoglobin (HB) and lymphocytes (LYM), while lymphocytes was only increased in polyurethane. However, both of them show significant decline in platelets count (PLT). Also, red blood cells have decrease in polyurethane exposed mice. in the level of packed cell volume (PCV) for exposed mice there was no significant difference as compared with control. Histological examinations of lung and liver tissues of the control group showed normal architecture, whereas hepatocytes of the polyurethane exposed group were characterized by fatty acid change, dilated sinusoid with degenerative change, depletion of glycoprotein granules and mild congestion. However, the lung characterized by mild inflammatory cells infiltration around bronchioles, slight dilated alveolar space and slight thickening of alveolar septa. For hepatocytes of nitrocellulose exposed group, a normal structure appearance has been shown. While lung section characterized by thickening of alveolar septa, congestion with mild inflammatory cells infiltration, and destruction of the alveolar wall (Emphysema). Results have been suggested that exposure to both nitrocellulose and polyurethane thinner paint fumes were toxic and capable of causing multiple organ toxicity or health problems. This study aims to detect the level of pollutant in the wood thinner and examination of toxicological effect of paint fumes on the carpenter, examining blood sample of exposed mice to polyurethane and nitrocellulose fumes, and examining the histological change in the respiratory tract and liver in order to evaluate the effects of thinner paint.