Respiratory response of guinea pigs to zinc oxide fume

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5532713

Amdur, M O; McCarthy, J F; Gill, M W

Zinc has been found enriched in the fine particle fraction of atmospheric aerosols and in the surface layer of fly ash. Experimental combustion studies of coal have demonstrated that zinc is vaporized and recondensed into the submicrometer fraction of the combustion aerosols. This size fraction may contain as much as 1.5% zinc when a coal of high zinc content (Illinois No. 6) is used. Zinc sulfate and zinc ammonium sulfate are among the sulfates with demonstrable irritant potency. Zinc oxide was thus chosen as the initial aerosol for studies of biological and chemical interaction of high temperature generated submicrometer metal oxides with sulfur dioxide. This paper reports the respiratory response of guinea pigs to short term exposure to freshly formed zinc oxide fume. These studies of zinc oxide alone have relevance to industrial exposure. The recommended TLV for zinc oxide is 5 mg/m/sup 3/ and the recommended STEL is 10 mg/m/sup 3/. Concentrations used in our studies were below these recommended levels.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
• OSTI ID: 5532713
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 44:2; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOL WASTES
AEROSOLS
ANIMALS
ASHES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
FLY ASH
GUINEA PIGS
MAMMALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
RESIDUES
RESPIRATION
RODENTS
SIZE
SOLS
TIME DEPENDENCE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES