Alterations in behavior produced by inhaled ozone or ammonia

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-0590(85)90147-2· OSTI ID:5614262

Tepper, J S; Weiss, B; Wood, R W

Ozone, a lower-airway irritant, produces fatigue, lethargy, and increased respiratory rates in several species, including man. Ammonia, an upper-airway irritant, produces burning of the eyes, nose, and throat, and a decrease in respiratory rate. The effects of exposure to these two prototypical irritants were examined to see if behavioral changes during and after exposure occurred at concentrations comparable to those that produce symptoms in humans. Long-Evans rats and Swiss mice, individually housed in running wheels, were exposed either to ozone (0.08, 0.12, 0.25, or 0.5 ppm) or to ammonia (100 or 300 ppm) for 6 hr. Each animal's behavior was compared with its own control performance. Running in both species decreased in a concentration-related manner during exposure to either irritant. The decrease in running activity produced by high concentrations of ozone persisted for several hours after exposure. Concentrations of ammonia that eliminated running during exposure led to an increase in activity following exposure. At comparable concentrations of both compounds, activity in rats decreased more than in mice.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY
• OSTI ID: 5614262
• Journal Information: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States); ISSN FAATD
• 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.
AMMONIA
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EXERCISE
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MICE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OZONE
RATS
RESPIRATION
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES