The Acute Inhalation Toxicity of Pyrolysis Products of Halon 1301
Abstract
Gaseous halides can be generated as a pyrolysis products of the fire retardant Halon 1301, as well as from the combustion of other materials. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that the respiratory tract injury produced by the acute inhalation of relatively high mass concentrations of HCl, HF, and HBr (approx. 1300 ppm) is localized within the nasal compartment during nose breathing (NB) and to the trachea and higher generation conducting airways during mouth breathing (MB) in the rat. For example, using lung gravimetric and histopathologic criteria, virtually no peripheral lung damage was observed in NB rats, and mild to no lung damage was observed in MB rats 24 hrs. after being exposed to 1300 ppm HCl for 30 min. It is presently unknown as to whether or not the lesions induced by acute high level inhalation of the halides can be extended more deeply into the lower respiratory tract by increases in minute ventilation (VE). The main objective of this study was to characterize the upper and lower respiratory tract lesions produced by inhaled halide in nose breathing and mouth breathing rats during CO2 (5%) induced increased minute ventilation with the driving hypothesis being that the inhalation of halide during enhanced minute ventilation will increase the severity of resulting injury while also extending the injurious response to more peripheral regions of the respiratory tract.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246031
Entities
People
- Bruce E. Lehnert
- Douglas M. Stavert
Organizations
- Los Alamos National Laboratory