A variety of respiratory effects have been reported in animals exposed
to antimony. A majority of these effects are associated with the physiological
response to dust accumulation in the lung (pneumoconiosis). The effects
progress from pneumoconiosis and a proliferation of alveolar macrophages to
fibrosis.
Lung inflammation was noted in rabbits exposed to antimony trisulfide
for 5 days (Brieger et al. 1954).
Acute exposure to stibine gas also results in lung effects. Pulmonary
edema was observed in rats and guinea pigs exposed to a lethal concentration
of stibine for 30 minutes (Price et al. 1979).
A dose-related increase in the number of alveolar and/or intraalveolar
macrophages was observed in rats exposed to antimony trioxide for 13 weeks or
more (Bio/dynamics 1985, 1990). In rats exposed to 0.07 mg antimony/m3
for 1
year or to 0.92 mg antimony/m3
for 13 weeks, the proliferation of macrophages
was still present for 12 months or 28 weeks, respectively, after exposure
termination (Bio/dynamics 1985, 1990). Chronic interstitial inflammation was
also observed in rats exposed to 0.07 mg antimony/m3
for 1 year with a 1 year
recovery.