Health effects of air pollutants: Sulfuric acid, the old and the new

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8981109· OSTI ID:5668399

Amdur, M O ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (USA)

Data from exposure of experimental animals and human subjects to sulfuric acid presents a consistent picture of its toxicology. Effects on airway resistance in asthmatic subjects were well predicted by data obtained on guinea pigs. Sulfuric acid increases the irritant response to ozone in both rats and man. In donkeys, rabbits, and human subjects, sulfuric acid alters clearance of particles from the lung in a similar manner. These changes resemble those produced by cigarette smoke and could well lead to chronic bronchitis. Data obtained on guinea pigs indicate that very small amounts of sulfuric acid on the surface of ultrafine metal oxide aerosols produce functional, morphological, and biochemical pulmonary effects. Such particles are typical of those emitted from coal combustion and smelting operations. Sulfate is an unsatisfactory surrogate in existing epidemiology studies. Sulfuric acid measurement is a critical need in such studies. 31 references.

• OSTI ID: 5668399
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA) Vol. 81; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BODY
CLEARANCE
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EXCRETION
GUINEA PIGS
HORSES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LUNG CLEARANCE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
ORGANS
OZONE
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
REVIEWS
RODENTS
SULFURIC ACID
SYNERGISM
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES