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Harris, E. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Harris, E. S..

The Acute Inhalation Toxicity in Rats from the Pyrolysis Products of Four Fluoropolymers

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (225?250 g) were exposed to the thermal degradation products from four fluoropolymers. The three polymers containing vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene (VF2/HFP) were pyrolyzed at 550? and 800?C, whereas polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was pyrolyzed at 625 and 800?C. At the lower temperatures, the pyrolysate from the copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene (VF2/HFP) was less toxic than the pyrolysates from either the terpolymer of vinyidene fluoride, hexafluoropropene, and tetrafluoroethylene (VF2/HFP/TFE) or the copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene with ?additives? (VF2/HFP-A). However, the pyrolysates from the VF2/HFP-containing materials produced less toxic products than the pyrolysate from PTFE at 625?C. When the pyrolysis temperature was increased to 800?C, very little difference was noted between the pyrolysis toxicity for any of the VF2/HFP-containing polymers with the most toxic pyrolysate again produced by PTFE. Carbon monoxide levels were all sublethal. No correlation could be established between hydrolyzable fluoride levels and the lethality of the pyrolysates. Death following exposure occurred within 48 hr due to acute pulmonary edema and hemorrhage. Survival of this acute phase was followed by alveolar lymphocytic infiltration and peribronchial tissue proliferation.

Carter, V. L., Jr.

Continuous exposure of animals to methylisobutylketone

Continuous exposure of dogs, monkeys, mice, and rats to MIBK for two weeks and all animals except mice for 90 days resulted in measurable adverse effects only in the case of rats. Rat kidney weights and kidney to body weight ratios were significantly elevated after exposure to 410 mg/cu m for two weeks, and kidney and liver organ weights and organ to body weight ratios were elevated after exposure to 820 mg/cu m for two weeks and to 410 mg/cu m for 90 days.

Vernot, E. H.

Bioassay of body fluids, experiment M005

Preflight and postflight urine and plasma samples from the Gemini 7 and Gemini 9 crewmembers were analyzed. Electrolyte and water retention observed immediately postflight was consistent with the assumption that the Gauer-Henry atrial reflex was responsive to a change from the weightless to the unit-gravity environment. Immediately postflight, plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid concentrations were increased and plasma uric acid concentration was decreased. The increased excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids immediately postflight probably was caused by the stress of entry. The postflight increase of plasma protein, and the slightly smaller increase of plasma electrolytes postflight, was consistent with an inflight water and electrolyte loss that resulted in postflight retention of water and electrolytes.

Dietlein, L. F.

Toxicology of spacecraft materials

The procedures for determining the toxicity of products outgassed from spacecraft structures are discussed. The test equipment involved in the tests and the criteria for acceptability are described. The use of animals as the final step in determining toxicity of a spacecraft environment is explained.

Harris, E. S.