Lung-clearance mechanisms following inhalation of acid sulfates

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6560075

Wolff, R K; Muggenburg, B A; Silbaugh, S A; Carpenter, R L; Rowatt, J D; Hill, J O

These studies have indicated that acute exposures (1-6 hrs) to sulfuric acid at levels of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/m/sup 3/ can produce impairments in mucous clearance. The impairments can last for up to a week following a 1 hr exposure. These effects and studies by others suggest that high sulfate levels in polluted conditions may be one factor in observed increases of hospital visits for respiratory problems. Long term exposures to elevated levels of sulfates resulting in decreases of clearance could also be an initiating factor in producing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These studies have also shown that it is the larger size fraction (0.6 to 1.0 ..mu..m) of sulfuric acid mist in the urban aerosol which is predominantly responsible for at least the acute effects.

• Research Organization: Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (USA). Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst.
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 6560075
• Report Number(s): LMF-99; ON: DE83007113
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
SULFURIC ACID
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
AEROSOLS
INHALATION
LUNG CLEARANCE
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
PARTICLE SIZE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
CLEARANCE
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
EXCRETION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
INTAKE
MEMBRANES
SIZE
SOLS
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)