Pulmonary Alterations in Rats Due to Acute Phosgene Inhalation (Journal Version)

摘要

The study evaluated the relationship between low-level phosgene (COCl2) exposure and pulmonary change or damage. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to phosgene for 4 hr at concentrations of 0.125 to 1.0 ppm (30, 60, 120 and 240 ppm min). Significant changes in lung weights (wet and dry) were observed following exposure to 120 and 240 ppm min phosgene and the LFP was significantly altered at 60 ppm min. The changes in lung wet and lung dry weight pooled over all times and phosgene concentrations in each correlated significantly with the change in LFP induced by phosgene. The total number of cells in the lavage fluid of phosgene-exposed rats was increased, and the most sensitive cellular indicator of phosgene inhalation was the increase in the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNS). The results confirm that LFP concentration and cellular differentials are an index of lung damage due to phosgene. A dose-response relationship for the measured parameters was observed. Over the dosage range studied, the return of all measured parameters to near control levels within 3 days following exposure showed the pulmonary damage was reversible or rapidly reparable. (Copyright (c) 1987 by The Society of Toxicology.)