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Inhalation of manganese oxide (Mn dose, 879,0 μg/m3) for 2 h reduced the total number of alveolar macrophages obtained by endotracheal lavage in pulmonary cell populations, slightly reduced cellular viability, and reduced both phagocytic capability and total protein in sonicated pulmonary cells. Increases in intracellular adenosine triphosphate and acid phosphatase specific activity were also exhibited by the pulmonary cells, but sonicated cells obtained from the exposed mice showed no change in lactic acid dehydrogenase specific activity. A slight increase in extracellular protein in the fluid phase of the lavage suspension was observed after manganese oxide exposure.

Strain A/J mice were exposed by inhalation for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, for 6 mo to carbon disulfide, 1,2-dibromoethane, ethylene oxide, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, or vinyl chloride. Significant increases in pulmonary adenoma formation were observed following exposure to 300 ppm carbon disulfide; 20 and 50 ppm 1,2-dibromoethane; 70 and 200 ppm ethylene oxide; 10 ppm nitrogen dioxide; and 50, 200, and 500 ppm vinyl chloride comapred to control animals. Repeated studies with 1,2-dibromoethane, ethylene oxide, and vinyl chloride gave similarly significant results. Exposure of mice to 30 ppm naphthalene did not elicit a significant adenoma response. Histopathological examination of lungs from animals in these studies revealed multiple alveolar adenomas. Results from earlier studies with these chemicals, using strain A mice and Swiss mice, and bioassay information with rats and mice were compared with these data. These results provide further information for the validation of this in vivo model as a tool for predicting oncogenic potential following chemical exposure.

An acute inhalation exposure of laboratory mice to respirable Mn3O4 aerosols is described. The generation system consisted of a Wright dust generator which produced 1.40 µm aerosols. A non-linear loss of deposited manganese from mouse lungs over the initial 24-hour post-exposure period was observed. Systemic distribution of the manganese was observed in various tissues following exposure.