VW tdi phagolysm pH in veobr macrophags (AM) using fluorescein-labeledyead (FYP) amn silica particles (FSP) as probes. Fluorescence intensities from the ingested test particles were measured on populations of AM using fluorescence spectometry and on individual phagolysosomes using fluorescence microscopy. Measurements were performed on rabbit AM, which had been incubated with FYPorFSP (in vitot procedure). ealso insd FYPor FSP via the trachea into rabbit lungs and after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months lavaged thelungs and measured the pH in AM (in vivo procedure). Phagolysosomal pH was independent of the number and size of the fluorescent particles. Measurementsof uadons of AM with fluorescence spec y and of hd ual phagolysosomes with fluorescence microscopy gave similar average pH. For the FYP, pH decreased during the first day after lavage both in the in vit and the in vivo procedures. For the FSP, pH was unchaneddurngthe same period. After 1 daypH was sinilar for both particles. Electron microscopy showed a larger number of lysosomes in contact with phagosomes and a higher pementage ofvacuolated phagosomesforFYPthanforFSP. Inthein uwoprocedure, pH was unchanged at least upto 1 month, and this pH was lower than that in the in vitrv procedure. The difference was probably due to conditions at the time of phagocyosis Particles retained in the lung parenchyma were within AM, and their location within the AM appeared unchanged from 1 week up to 3 months.