Behavioral evaluation of the irritating properties of ozone

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(85)90246-7· OSTI ID:6177748

Tepper, J S; Wood, R W

The sensory irritant properties of ozone have been considered to be responsible for symptoms that occur in humans after exposure. This assumption has not been studied explicitly. One way to assess the aversive properties of airborne irritants is to give the exposed individual an opportunity to control the duration of exposure, i.e., escape from the irritant. Mice were trained to turn off 1000-ppm ammonia, a concentration that, in humans, is irritating to the upper airways. Each mouse could terminate irritant delivery for 1 min by inserting its nose five times into one of two conical response sensors. After the determination of ammonia concentration-effect curves, ozone was substituted for ammonia. Ozone exposures were alternated every other day with ammonia as a control for any changes that might occur as a result of repeated ozone exposure. Ozone reliably maintained escape behavior. Additional mice with no history of ammonia termination were trained to terminate ozone exposure, indicating that the aversive properties of ozone were not dependent on previous experience with other airborne irritants. As the concentration of ozone increased from 0.25 to 24 ppm, the number of escape responses increased, and the duration of ozone tolerated decreased. Ozone concentrations of 0.5 ppm or greater were significantly more aversive than control.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY
• OSTI ID: 6177748
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN TXAPA
• 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
AVOIDANCE
BEHAVIOR
CONDITIONED REFLEXES
EXPOSURE CHAMBERS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MICE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OZONE
REFLEXES
RODENTS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES