A group of Fischer F344 rats were exposed to an aerosol of crocidolite asbestos for 36 d. Short-term organ cultures were established from the lungs of these animals and from a similar control group. The ability of these cultures to metabolise benzo(a)pyrene to water-soluble and ether-soluble forms was measured. Crocidolite treatment reduced the lungs ability to produce both types of metabolite although only the reduction in water-soluble forms was significant. DNA binding increased in cultures from treated rats, though this was not statistically significant. The possible relationship of these results to asbestos pathogenesis is discussed.
Animals Asbestos