EN
Pollenit F (LB-3) and Totalit Super 80 fire extinguisher agent powders were tested. Their possible harmful effects have not been evaluated yet. Both preparations contain silica and talc, hence they may be supposed to show fibrogenic properties. Male 3-month Wistar rats were used in the experiment. The animals received intratracheally single doses of 50 mg Pollenit F and 10 mg Totalit Super 80 in 0.5 cm3 aqueous 0.9% NaCl solution. The morphological changes in the lungs of the rats were evaluated after 1.5, 3 and 6 months. Activation of lung macrophages caused by the examined fire extinguisher powders results in progressive disseminated lung fibrosis. The observed formation of fibre complexes in which collagen fibres constitute the bulk of the occupied area seems to be a permanent change.