Acute Inhalation of Explosively Disseminated Carbon Fibers in Rats
Abstract
Carbon fibers are lightweight, high tensile strength synthetic strands used commercially and in military applications for aircraft and electromagnetic obscuration. Fibers with respirable diameters <3.5 micrometers and lengths >10 micrometers will deposit by interception in the bronchi. Recent XM81 grenade field studies indicated that explosive dissemination produced fibers with diameters <3.0 micrometers and lengths <100 micrometers, making some of the fibrous smoke respirable. Carbon fibers were explosively generated to determine if the resultant aerosol is respirable and if it adversely affects rodents. Groups of 344 male Fischer rats were exposed to one of the three concentrations of carbon fibers for 30 min. Air-exposed and fuse/fuelexposed rats served as the controls. Exposed rats and respective control groups were submitted for bronchoalveolar lavage; biochemical, physiological, and pathological evaluation at 24 hr and 14 and 90 days post exposure. Also, SEM analysis was used to characterize the size range of the fibers and to determine fiber deposition in trachea and lung tissues. Aerosol samples were collected for mutagenicity testing. Initial results indicated the presence of fiber fragments and combustion products in the respirable range. However, there were no adverse changes in the biological responses Of the rats from short-term exposure to XM81 grenade aerosols. Acute inhalation XM81 grenade Aerosol Respirable diameter Carbon fibers Explosive dissemination Fischer 344 rats
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA280556
Entities
People
- David C. Burnett
- Jeffrey D. Bergmann
- Roger J. Hilaski
- Sandra A. Thomson
- William T. Muse Jr.
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center