Sensory and Pulmonary Irritation with Exposure to Methyl Isocyanate

Overview

Journal Toxicol Appl Pharmacol

Specialties Pharmacology
Toxicology

Date 1986 Feb 1

PMID 3945958

Citations 17

Authors

J S Ferguson

M Schaper

M F Stock

D A Weyel

Y Alarie

Affiliations

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Abstract

Methyl isocyanate (MIC) was tested for its potency as a sensory irritant and as a pulmonary irritant in mice. To evaluate sensory irritation, animals were exposed to MIC at concentrations between 0.5 and 7.6 ppm for a period of 90 min. A characteristic reflex decrease in respiratory rate indicating sensory irritation was observed. The concentration evoking a 50% decrease in respiratory rate (RD50) was found to be 1.3 ppm. To evaluate pulmonary irritation, animals were first anesthetized and fitted with a tracheal cannula. Following recovery from anesthesia, they were exposed to MIC at concentrations between 0.4 and 7.3 ppm for a period of 90 min. A characteristic decrease in respiratory rate indicating pulmonary irritation in tracheally cannulated (TC) mice was observed. The concentration evoking a 50% decrease in respiratory rate (RD50TC) was found to be 1.9 ppm. Thus, MIC was found to be a potent sensory and pulmonary irritant.

Citing Articles

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Evaluation and application of the RD50 for determining acceptable exposure levels of airborne sensory irritants for the general public.

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Vijayaraghavan R, Schaper M, Thompson R, Stock M, Alarie Y Arch Toxicol. 1993; 67(7):478-90.

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