Morphological effects of nickel powders on the lung of Syrian golden hamsters

Syrian golden hamsters were treated by intratracheal instillation and received 0,8 mg nickel powder and 1,2 mg abrasive every two weeks for 6 or 12 months. Hamsters were sacrificed at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the beginning of the experiment for morphological and analytical examinations. A time dependent development of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was observed in treated hamsters.