Comparative Inhalation Toxicology of Selected Materials. Phase 2.
Abstract
Male and female F344/N rats were exposed nose-only to a respirable powder of copper-zinc alloy. No rats died as a result of the exposures. Body weights were reduced relative to sham-exposed rats for rats exposed to 240 and 480 mg. hr Cu-Zn/cu.m week. All of the additional observed biological responses to inhaled Cu-Zn were restricted to the respiratory tract. Lung weights were increased due to an inflammatory response for rats exposed to 120 mg. hr Cu-Zn/ cu.m or more per week. Exposure to 240 mg. hr Cu-zn/cu.m per week caused restrictive pulmonary functional disorder, as evidenced by a reduced lung capacity, reduced quasistatic compliance, reduced carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and increased percent forced vital capacity exhaled in 0.1 second. Exposure-related responses in lavage fluid indicators of lung damage included increased beta-glucuronidase, increased lactate dehydrogenase, and increases in inflammatory cells, total protein, and collagen. Histological lesions produced by Cu-Zn were atrophy of the nasal olfactory epithelium and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the respiratory epithelium, focal necrotizing alveolitis, alveolar macrophage hyperplasia, and goblet cell hyperplasia of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. The inhaled Cu-Zn alloy caused exposure-related inflammatory and cytotoxic responses in the respiratory tract, but the inhaled Cu-Zn cleared rapidly and the responses largely resolved after cessation of exposures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199196
Entities
People
- A. F. Eidson
- A. G. Harmsen
- D. E. Bice
- D. G. Burt
- E. G. Damon
- F. A. Seiler
- F. F. Hahn
- H. C. Yeh
- J. A. Pickrell
- J. L. Mauderly
- J. R. Harkema
- M. B. Snipes
- R. F. Henderson
Organizations
- Lovelace Foundation