A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS INHALATION OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF OXYGEN AT AMBIENT PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE

Abstract

INVESTIGATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT TO DETERMINE THE TIMES OF OCCURRENCE AND PROGRESSION OF TOXIC EFFECTS IN RAT, AND THE TIMES TO DEATH FOR VARIOUS ANIMAL SPECIES EXPOSED CONTINUOUSLY TO RELATIVELY PURE OXYGEN AT CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND AMBIENT PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES. Mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and monkeys were exposed continuously to oxygen (95-99%) for 240 hours, unless interrupted by death. The initial toxic effects of exposure were labored breathing and lethargy which occurred after 15 to 20 hours in the rodents and 36 to 42 hours in the dogs. In the monkeys, these effects occurred considerably later, 72 to 96 hours. Most animals dying during exposure showed extensive bilateral pleural effusions and pulmonary edema. Animals surviving 240 hours of oxygen exposure showed severe organ and tissue damage, including pulmonary edema, but did not show pleural effusion.