Comparative Toxicity Studies at Reduced and Ambient Pressures I. Acute Response

Abstract

Comparison of the acute response to toxicants at ambient and reduced pressures (5 psia; 100% O₂) were made by exposing monkeys, dogs, rats, and mice for 2 weeks of continuous inhalation exposure to NO₂, O₃ and CCl₄. The experimental results show a definite reduction in the toxic response to the pulmonary irritants NO₂ and O₃ at reduced pressure when compared with ambient pressure exposures. With CCl₄, a systemic toxicant, no significant differences between the animals exposed at ambient or reduced pressure were observed.