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Sensory and pulmonary irritation of methyl isocyanate in mice and pulmonary irritation and possible cyanidelike effects of methyl isocyanate in guinea pigs

Journal Article · · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8772159· OSTI ID:6066434
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Methyl isocyanate (MIC) was evaluated for sensory and pulmonary irritation in mice. MIC was found to be both a potent sensory and pulmonary irritant in this species. From these results, a safe level of exposure for a period of 8 hr was estimated to be about 0.02 ppm for humans. Guinea pigs were also exposed to MIC for a single 3-hr exposure at a concentration of 37 ppm. During exposure to MIC, coughing was observed in all animals. Pulmonary function was evaluated immediately following exposure and intermittently on the next 35 days using CO/sub 2/ challenges and flow-volume loops. Highly abnormal responses to CO/sub 2/ were observed immediately after exposure in all animals. Six of the eight animals exposed to MIC died. In the two survivors, an apparent recovery was seen during the 5 days following exposure, but a worsening effect was observed at days 21 and 28, with a partial recovery at day 35. The data clearly demonstrated that the primary pulmonary effect of MIC was one of airways obstruction. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output were also measured in the guinea pigs following exposure to MIC. No evidence of a cyanidelike effect was observed, in contrast to a severe depression of oxygen uptake following exposure to hydrogen cyanide.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA
OSTI ID:
6066434
Journal Information:
Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 72; ISSN EVHPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BODY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
CHALCOGENIDES
CYANATES
CYANIDES
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
ELEMENTS
GUINEA PIGS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MICE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SENSITIVITY
STANDARDS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES