Sulphur dioxide

Eye irritation

Administrative data

Endpoint:

eye irritation: in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Regional effects of sulfur dioxide exposure on the guinea pig brain lipids, lipid peroxidation and lipase activity.

Author:

Haider, S.S:; et al.

Year:

1981

Bibliographic source:

Neurotoxicology 2: 443-450

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Study only reports on isolated mechanistic investigations: exposure to sulfur dioxide by inhalation

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Sulphur dioxide

EC Number:

231-195-2

EC Name:

Sulphur dioxide

Cas Number:

7446-09-5

Molecular formula:

SO2

IUPAC Name:

Sulphur dioxide generated from sulphur by combustion

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): sulfur dioxide
No further details are given.

Test animals / tissue source

Species:

guinea pig

Strain:

not specified

Details on test animals or tissues and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Age at study initiation: adult
- Weight at study initiation: 250-500g
- Diet: a pellet diet (Hindustan Lever Ltd., India)
- Water: ad libitum
No further details are given.

Test system

Vehicle:

other: air

Controls:

yes

Amount / concentration applied:

10 ppm SO2

Duration of treatment / exposure:

1 hour per day, 21 days

Observation period (in vivo):

no data

Number of animals or in vitro replicates:

24 male guinea pigs: 12 control and 12 exposure animals

Details on study design:

An inhalation chamber was designed to expose the animals to well-controlled concentration of atmospheric pollutants. The chamber atmosphere was generated by mixing a known quantity of air with a contaminant gas. Control animals inhaled room air, whereas experimental animals were exposed to 10 ppm sulfur dioxide equivalent to MAC.
Ambient air at the rate of 917 l/min and SO2 at the rate of 9.4 ml/min were drawn into the chamber. During the experiment temperature varied from 29 to 31°C, humidity was 65-80% and pressure was 760 mm Hg. The guinea pigs were killed on the 21 day of exposure and the brains were removed for analysis.

Results and discussion

In vivo

Results

Irritation parameter:

other: observations from a 30-day repeated dose toxicity study

Remarks on result:

other: Signs of eye irritation are induced by daily 1-hour whole-body exposure of rats in inhalation chambers to exposure atmospheres containing 10 ppm sulfur dioxide in air.

Irritant / corrosive response data:

Exposure to sulfur dioxide led to signs of skin and eye irritation.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The exposure of guinea pigs to sulfur dioxide led to signs of nasopharyngitis, somnolence, staggering, itching, preening, skin and eye irritation.