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U.S. Department of Energy
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health effects of dielectric gases: preliminary report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5206567
The toxicity of various dielectric gases was assayed in two in vitro systems: Chinese hamster V79 (lung) cells (mammalian) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Exposures were carried out in small tubes which were constantly rotated, so that cells were exposed to the gas with only a thin layer of cell culture liquid covering them. Results indicate that SF/sub 6/ is essentially without cytotoxic effect on both systems. After discharge of 16 kJ total spark energy in 60 cm/sup 3/ of SF/sub 6/, the sparked samples were found to be cytotoxic to the mammalian cells, but not to the yeast. The toxicity of these sparked samples to the mammalian system was observed within 15 min of exposure of the cells and the degree of toxicity increased with time of exposure. In addition, increasing spark energy produced samples with increased cytotoxic activity. Yeast cells were unresponsive to octafluorocyclobutane (c-C/sub 4/F/sub 8/) and sparked SF/sub 6/. However, as little as 10% perfluoro-2-butyne (PFB) resulted in 100% toxic response to the yeast, and 95% hexafluorocyclobutene (c-C/sub 4/F/sub 6/) prevented their normal exponential growth, but did not result in mortality.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5206567
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-8353; ON: DE82019724
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English