Toxicity of prolonged exposure to ethanol and gasoline autoengine exhaust gases.

A comparative chronic inhalation exposure study was performed to investigate the potential health effects of gasoline and ethanol engine exhaust fumes. Test atmospheres of gasoline and ethanol exhaust were given to Wistar rats and Balb C mice housed in inhalation chambers for a period of 5 weeks. Gas concentration and physical parameters were continually monitored during the exposure period.

Effects of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde inhalation on rat pulmonary mechanics.

Two groups of 12 male Wistar rats received either 243 ppm of acetaldehyde or 5.7 ppm of formaldehyde for 8 h a day, 5 days a week during 5 weeks. These levels represent three times the threshold limit values (TLV) for these substances in Brazilian legislation.

Acute toxicity of gasoline and ethanol automobile engine exhaust gases.

A comparative inhalation exposure study was performed to investigate the potential health effect of gasoline and ethanol engine exhaust fumes. Wistar rats housed in inhalation chambers were exposed to test atmospheres of various concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and gasoline and ethanol exhaust fumes diluted with air. CO level, temperature, relative humidity and flow rate were monitored continually to control the gas concentration and the environment.

The study of mechanical properties of rats lungs by whole body plethysmography.

A simple technic for studying the pulmonary mechanics of rats by whole body plethysmography is presented. The parameters measured were: Tidal Volume (TV); Respiratory Frequency (RF); Transpulmonary Basal Pressure (TBP); Dynamic Compliance (Cdyn); Functional Residual Capacity (FRC); Transpulmonary Pressure/Volume curve (TP/V); Forced Expiratory Volume of 1/4 second (FEV 1/4); Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV); Inspiratory Capacity (IC); Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV); Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Residual Volume (RV); Forced Expiratory Mean Flow between 100-50% (FEMF 100-50), 50-25% (FEMF 50-25) and 25-0% (FEMF 25-0) of the FVC, and Total Lung Capacity (TLC). In order to verify the accuracy of the technic, common male adult Wistar rats, in which pulmonary obstructive disease is normally expected, were first submitted to these functional tests and then to pathological examination.