Effects of wood dust exposure and diethylnitrosamine. A pilot study in Syrian golden hamsters.

Fine wood dust is epidemiologically associated with human nasal cancer. The aim of the present study was to elaborate an animal model for inhalation studies of the effects of fine wood dust on the upper and lower airways. Syrian golden hamsters were used. After 10 months one animal in the group which was exposed only to wood dust, had developed a malignant nasal tumour and another animal in the same group had nasal dysplasia. Spontaneous nasal tumours in this laboratory animal is not known. Many tumours of the nose, larynx and trachea arose in animals treated with a carcinogen (diethylnitrosamine). There was no increase in tumours in animals with combined exposure to diethylnitrosamine and wood dust.