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Effects of 28 days exposure to diesel engine emissions in rats

Journal Article · · Environ. Res.; (United States)
Groups of 15 rats each were exposed 20 hr/day, 7 days/week for 28 days to a 1:14 dilution of either raw or irradiated exhaust using a six-cylinder Nissan diesel engine. Body weight gains were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during exposure to diesel exhaust with a greater decrease during exposure to irradiated compared with raw exhaust. Arterial blood gases and standard bicarbonate remained unchanged. Arterial blood pH was slightly but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the animals previously exposed to irradiated exhaust. Residual volume (RV) and wet lung weight were unchanged after exposure to either condition, while vital capacity (VC) and total lung capacity (TLC) were increased (p < 0.05) following exposure to raw exhaust. The shape of the deflation PV curves were nearly identical among the three groups. It was concluded that 28 days exposure to a 1:14 dilution of diesel exhaust emissions resulted in only minor functional changes in the lungs.
Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
OSTI ID:
5657292
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 27:1; ISSN ENVRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English