Pulmonary functional and morphological damage after exposure to tripoli dust.

•Tripoli is a microcrystalline siliceous rock used in polishing and cosmetics.•Description of the physical and chemical characteristics of the tripoli dust.•Exposure of mice to Tripoli dust impaired lung mechanics and morphology.•Granulomas with collagen fibers were found and quantified in the lung.•Inflammatory interleukins were detected in the lung tissue.