Chemiluminesctnce from alveolar macrophages is caused by phagocytosis. It had been enhanced by adding luminol and measured on a liquid scintillation counter. The quartz and CaCO

3

particles was injected into SD rats by trachea respectively. Animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitol and exsar-guinated by cutting the abdominal arota. Alveolar macrophages were harvested by pulmonary lavage in situ with medium. The results are showed as follows.The relationship of the concentration of alveolar macrophages

luminol

and zymosan with the intensity of CL was investigated. The best assay system is that a) alveolar macrophagts arc 2×10

6

ce.ll/ml.b) luminol is 2×10

-4

M

and c) zymosan is 1×10

8

/ml. The dynamic change of CL from alveolar macrophages in rats after exposing to particles was monitored and showed that alveolar macrophagts of the rats exposed to quartz and CaCO

3

varied distinctly with one of normal rats on phagocyte-luminescence. It can respond to the toxicity of particles. The results

are showed that the intensity of CL was descended with the time of exposure to particles. The intensity of CL was used to determine phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages and early damage in organism. It is significant to research pathogeny of pncumoconisis.