Embryotoxicity of irradiated and nonirradiated catalytic converter-treated automotive exhaust

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287397709529605· OSTI ID:5204414

Hoffman, D J; Campbell, K I

The study was undertaken to examine the relative embryotoxicity in chick embryos of photochemically reacted and unreacted diluted automotive exhaust emissions from a system equipped with a catalytic converter. Clean air controls and H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ aerosol controls equivalent in concentration to those found in the catalytic exhaust atmosphere were also studied. From day 1 through day 14 of development, continuous exposure to nonirradiated exhaust resulted in decreased survival, lowered embryonic weight, a small increase in heart/body weight ratio, and altered hematocrit and serum enzyme activities (LHD and GOT). Irradiated exhaust had little effect on survival or on embryonic weight but resulted in a higher liver/body weight ratio as well as altered hematocrit and serum enzume activities. Interactions or cumulative effects of different compositions of exhaust atmospheres may play a role in differing biological responses between unreacted and irradiated exhaust. Sulfuric acid aerosol had a minimal effect on survival and resulted in only a slight decrease in embryonic weight and serum LDH activity, with no other apparent effects. In previous studies where the catalytic converter was not used, more pronounced effects on survival, increased heart/body weight ratio, elevated serum GPT activity, and liver discoloration were observed. Thus, the introduction of an oxidizing catalytic converter appeared to alleviate some but not all of the embryotoxic effects of automotive exhaust.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati
• OSTI ID: 5204414
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 3:4; 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
ANIMALS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CATALYSIS
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHICKENS
COLLOIDS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISPERSIONS
EMBRYOS
ENZYMES
EQUIPMENT
EXHAUST GASES
FOWL
GASEOUS WASTES
GLANDS
HEART
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LIFE SPAN
LIVER
METABOLISM
ORGANS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SOLS
SULFURIC ACID
TOXICITY
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WEIGHT