The influence of furfural inhalation poisoning on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in rats.

The inhalation of furfural, 20 mg/m3 by adult rats during 3 months for 5 h daily, 6 times a week, did not change the calcium and phosphorus level in blood serum and in bones, but depressed the activity of alkaline phosphatase in blood serum. The exposure to furfural of immature rats (6-7 weeks old) during 4 weeks caused a depression of blood serum and intestine mucosa alkaline phosphatase activity, elevation of calcium and phosphorus levels in blood serum with concomitant fall in bones, and a decrease in calcium excretion with urine.