Fred W. Oberst

An apparatus for the detected and quantitation of volatile human effluents

Abstract Methods for the collection and identification of trace amounts of human effluents are presented. A variety of organic structures are included among the effluents: alcohols; ketones; ethers; esters; unsaturated, branched, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons; sulfhydryl, cyano and heterocyclic compounds. Over 135 effluents were identified in 16 man tests; tree times this number was observed. Samples were trapped by a cryogenic process in the first eight tests; in the others, porous polymer collection was used. Five compounds found in the effluvia of most test subjects were quantitated. Their respective rates of emission are presented.

Retention of inhaled sarin vapor and its effect on red blood cell cholinesterase activity in man

This study was conducted to determine whether retention and absorption of sarin vapor differ in (1) resting men breathing exclusively through the nose (2) or the mouth, and (3) in exercising men breathing exclusively through the mouth. Inhibition of red blood cell cholinesterase (R.B.C.‐ChE) activity was the criterion used to measure absorption. We found that the resting men retained approximately the same percentage of the vapor inhaled, but exercising men retained a significantly lower percentage. This does not mean that in an uncontrolled exposure sedentary people would receive a higher dose than active people. In fact, iust the opposite would be true because minute volume is much higher in exercising people and their total retained dose would be much higher. We also found that, regardless of route of inhalation (oral or nasal) or level of physical activity, inhibition of R.B.C.‐ChE activity was directly related to the retained dose of sarin.

Evaluation of botulinum antitoxin, supportive therapy, and artificial respiration in monkeys with experimental botulism.

A diagnosis for botulism in man probably would not be made until after signs and symptoms developed. In this study the critical time for initiation of treatment was emphasized. Rhesus monkeys were given 2.5 to 5 LD50 of botulinum toxin, type A, intravenously. As soon as toxic signs were observed, therapy was initiated. Some animals received bivalent botulinum antitoxin, types A and B, 1,000 to 2,700 U., with and without supportive treatment of liquid foods, vitamins, and antibiotics during the period of aphagia. Others also received artificial respiration (AR) and antitoxin only when respiration became inadequate. All untreated monkeys died. Antitoxin administered soon after the appearance of the very first toxic signs resulted in complete recovery in 8 out of 10 animals with supportive treatment but only 1 out of 6 when no supportive treatment was given. In monkeys with respiratory paralysis, treatment with AR and antitoxin prolonged life. Continued long‐term AR, however, may cause irreversible lung damage. It is concluded that treatment is useful even after toxic signs and respiratory paralysis occur.

Acute inhalation toxicity of difluoro vapor in mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys☆

Abstract The inhalation toxicity of difluoro (methylphosphonic difluoride) was determined in mice, rats, dogs, and rhesus monkeys exposed for 30 min to various concentrations of the vapor. Most animals showed respiratory distress and were gasping for breath soon after exposure started. Mice and rats usually kept their eyes closed during the exposure; their eyes and noses were irritated. The eyes of dogs were also irritated and showed corneal opacity and miosis. Monkeys were distressed, as they were shaking their heads. They also breathed through their mouths and kept their eyes partially closed. They salivated profusely during the latter part of the exposure. All monkeys lost their appetite after the exposure. A few deaths occurred among all species during the 30-day observation period. Necropsy on dogs revealed the presence of pulmonary congestion and edema. The LCt50 of difluoro vapor for a 30-min total body exposure is 80,000 mg min/m 3 for the mouse, 242,000 mg min/m 3 for the rat, 82,000 mg min/m 3 for the dog, and 91,000 mg min/m 3 for the monkey. The irritating effects of difluoro vapor on the eyes and mucous membranes are sufficiently great that a person will leave a contaminated area, if possible, before a lethal dose in inhaled.

Chronic intravenous toxicity of the oximes of 2-formyl-1 methylpyridinium chloride and the methanesulfonate analog to dogs and rabbits☆

Abstract 2-Formyl-1-methylpyridinium chloride oxime (2-PAMCl) and 2-formyl-1-methylpyridinium methanesulfonate oxime (2-PAMM, also referred to as P2S) were evaluated for chronic intravenous toxicity to dogs and rabbits. These compounds were given in daily doses of 50 mg/kg, 5 days a week over a 6-week period, the dogs receiving them in doses of 25 mg/kg twice a day. Hyperventilation occurred during injections in 39% of the dogs receiving 25 mg/kg of either oxime. Occasionally, ataxia, vomiting, collapse, head jerks, tremors, and salivation were seen. Animals usually were free of all toxic signs prior to any injection. No changes in the RBC-ChE values were observed. Hemoglobin values and the white blood cell count were decreased consistently by the end of the test period in all animals receiving 2-PAMCl. In dogs given 2-PAMM only, the hemoglobin values were decreased. No recognizable tissue damage was observed in any of the dogs. These oximes did not produce any noticeable toxic signs in rabbits.

Toxic effects of high concentrations of bromobenzylnitrile vapor in various animal species

Abstract Eight animal species were exposed 12–180 min to bromobenzylnitrile (BBN) vapor in concentrations ranging from 105 to 168 mg/m 3 , and the L Ct 50 for each species was determined. The primary local effect of BBN on animals was irritation of epithelial structures, particlarly those in the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. The predominant toxic signs were corneal ulceration, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, blepharospasm, photophobia, rhinitis with nasal discharge, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic coughs or sneezes, parenchymal lung rales and wheezes, and hyperemia and desquamation of exposed skin. The severity of respiratory involvement was directly proportional to the Ct . The species most susceptible to the overall clinical and lethal effects of BBN was the pig. The next most sensitive were the mouse, goat, and rabbit, which were about equally affected. Following these were the guinea pig, dog, and monkey. The rat was the most resistant to BBN vapor. The L Ct 50 values ranged from 4850 mg min/m 3 for the pig to 18,860 mg min/m 3 for the rat. It is concluded that BBN is a potent irritant and is lethal to animals when the concentration is high and the exposure time is sufficiently long.