[Development of malignant tumors in rats under the influence of nickel-containing aerosols].

The authors conducted observations of 70 nonpedigree white rats, subjected to inhalation, intraperitoneal or intratracheal effect of nickel-containing dusts (feinstein, nickel monoxide) typical for nickel black production. It was found that intraperitoneal injection of feinstein dusts after 6-15 months was followed by the development of sarcomas at the site of injection (in 6 of 39 rats). Following inhalation dusting with feinstein dust in one of 5 cases squamous cell lung carcinoma without keratinization has arisen. Intracheal injection of nickel monoxide dust resulted in the development of squamous cell lung carcinoma without keratinization in one of 26 rats. In control series no tumors were found. The data obtained indicate the blastomogenic effect of dusts of nickel black production and are in keeping with the results of epidemiological studies and dictate the necessity of radical measures of the combat against dust at nickel-production plants.