[The effect of intermittent hydrogen chloride exposure on the lung function of the guinea pig]

Abstract

23 guinea pigs were exposed to 15 mg/m3 HCl gas 5 days/week, 2 hours daily, for 7 weeks. 15 animals served as controls. From the 5th day of exposure, the following lung function parameters were evaluated in anaesthetised animals: VT, fR, minute volume, TGV, Vmax, R1, Rw, Rrs, Cl, Cw, Crs, delta Poes/VT, hemoglobin, SaO2, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, SBC, BE. These measurements showed no differences between HCl-exposed animals and controls. Histological examination of the lungs revealed no changes which could be attributed to HCl-exposure. This study relates to the important question whether lung damage can be induced by industrially produced, intermittent high levels of HCl in the environment.