OBJECTIVETo study the pathological characteristics and the morphological changes of alumina pneumoconiosis.

METHODSThe pathological observation and analysis were performed in lungs of five autopsies with alumina pneumoconiosis.

RESULTSThe early common pathological change of alumina pneumoconiosis was the dust spots. The dust fibrosis had two forms, one was the non-focal fibrous proliferation of interstitial space, the other was the proliferation of inner-dust-spot fibrosis that finally developed into non-typical pneumoconiosis nodules.

CONCLUSIONThe pathological characteristics of the alumina pneumoconiosis may not be all the same to those of aluminium and aluminium oxide pneumoconiosis. Alumina pneumoconiosis is a complex pneumoconiosis. The typical pathological changes are the dust-spot emphysema and dust fibrosis of interstitial tissue. Infection in lung and complication of lung tumor, especially pneumo-tubercolosis would promote dust fibrosis. The pleural thickening, the relationship between lung cancer and alumina dust should be taken seriously.