The results of an experiment on 173 S. P. F. rats inhaling 0.55 ppm of acrolein, compared to 173 control rats, are reported. In what concerns the respiratory apparatus, this dose of acrolein affects its defense mechanisms, leading to a greater susceptibility to the airborne Salmonella enteritidis infection, compared to the control group. These phenomena disappear spontaneously when intoxication is prolonged more than three weeks. On the contrary, the general toxic action, manifesting itself through diminished weight growth and under-nourishment, compared to control group, lasts as long as intoxication and disappears only after acrolein inhalation has stopped. These results are discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

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[Continuous inhalation of small amounts of formaldehyde: experimental study in the rat].

The results of experiments on the Rat, about the effects of continuous inhalation of 1.60, 4.55 and 8,07 ppm of formaldehyde, are reported: 150 SPF male rats were observed during one and an half to three months. These experiments concerned the clinical observation of the rats, their body weight and food intake, the relative weights of their lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen, the number and activity of their alveolar macrophages harvested by pulmonary washing. 1degree At 1.60 ppm it was only observed a yellowing of the hair of the intoxicated rats. 2degrees At 4.55 ppm, besides, the body weight of the intoxicated animals became significantly lower than the controls. 3degrees At 8.07 ppm, in addition to those differences, it appeared signs of irritation in the upper respiratory tract and in the eyes of the intoxicated rats, a significant underfeeding and a percentage of liver weight lower than the controls. Besides, the relative number and the phagocytic ability of alveolar macrophages of intoxicated rats was significantly lower than the controls. It was not observed the phenomena of adaptation previously described in the experimental rat intoxication by acrolein.

Aerosols↗