[The morphological characteristics of the alveolar macrophages in those who cleaned up the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station at a late period (1)].

The paper presents morphological, morphometric and densitometric evidence obtained on cytoplasmic inclusions of alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage of chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) sufferers. All of them previously worked in the zone contaminated after the Chernobyl accident. The control consisted of nonexposed to radiation COB patients. In the exposed subjects alveolar macrophages were more active, 20% of cytoplasm was occupied by numerous phagolysosomes varying in form. Their densitometric evaluation has been performed. Further bronchoalveolar lavages will be conducted to follow up the above changes in alveolar macrophages.