Effects of aerosolized class C fly ash in weanling goats

Objective-To determine effects of repeated aerosol exposures to fly ash dust on respiratory tracts of tent-confined goats. Animals-12 weaning Boer-Spanish crossbred goats. Procedure-Goats were randomly assigned to 2 groups: fly ash treatment group (principal goats, n = 6) or control group (control goats, 6). Aerosolized fly ash dust was provided during a 4-hour period for each of 6 applications given over 3 months and one 2-hour application prior to necropsy. Fly ash particle diameters ranged from 0.1 to 130 pm and averaged 178 mu m, with 1.5 % of fly ash particles in the 0.1- to 5-mu m-diameter range. A mean +/- SD of 748 +/- 152 g/treatment was delivered inside a tent containing principal goats; control goats were placed inside a similar tent for 4-hour treatments without dust. Following treatment, rectal temperatures were taken at 0, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 72 hours; Hcts were recorded at 0, 24, and 72 hours. Results-Rectal temperatures were significantly increased at 4, 6, and 8 hours and decreased at 72 hours, compared with 0 hours. Mean +/- SEM Hct values were significantly increased for principal goats (3747 +/- 0.39 %), compared with control goats (36.17 +/- 0.42 %). A significant increase in the mean area of gross atelectatic lung lesions (1,410 mm(2)) was found in principal goats (n = 6), compared with control goats (440 mm(2); 5). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-An increase in atelectatic lung lesions was observed in principal goats, compared with control goats; however, overall, fly ash dust effects were nontoxic.