Inhalation toxicity of lithium combustion aerosols in rats

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398609530899· OSTI ID:5001500

Greenspan, B J; Allen, M D; Rebar, A H

Studies of the acute inhalation toxicity of lithium combustion aerosols were undertaken to aid in evaluating the health hazards associated with the proposed use of lithium metal in fusion reactors. Male and female F344/Lov rats, 9-12 wk of age, were exposed once for 4 h to concentrations of 2600, 2300, 1400, or 620 mg/m/sup 3/ of aerosol (MMAD = 0.69 ..mu..m, sigma/sub g/ = 1.45) that was approximately 80% lithium carbonate and 20% lithium hydroxide to determine the acute toxic effects. Fourteen-day LC50 values (with 95% confidence limits) of 1700 (1300-2000) mg/m/sup 3/ for the male rats and 2000 (1700-2400) mg/m/sup 3/ for the female rate were calculated. Clinical signs of anorexia, dehydration, respiratory difficulty, and perioral and perinasal encrustation were observed. Body weights were decreased the first day after exposure in relation to the exposure concentration. In animals observed for an additional 2 wk, body weights, organ weights, and clinical signs began to return to pre-exposure values. Histopathologic examination of the respiratory tracts from the animals revealed ulcerative or necrotic laryngitis, focal to segmental ulcerative rhinitis often accompanied by areas of squamous metaplasia, and, in some cases, a suppurative bronchopneumonia or aspiration pneumonia, probably secondary to the laryngeal lesions. The results of these studies indicate the moderate acute toxicity of lithium carbonate aerosols and will aid in the risk analysis of accidental releases of lithium combustion aerosols.

• Research Organization: Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 5001500
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 18:4; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALI METALS
ANIMALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
COLLOIDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DATA
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INFORMATION
INHALATION
INTAKE
LITHIUM
LITHIUM CARBONATES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HYDROXIDES
MAMMALS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PNEUMONIA
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
SOLS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT