SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “INHALATION”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2016

TH-CD-202-09: Free-Breathing Proton MRI Functional Lung Avoidance Maps to Guide Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Pulmonary functional MRI using inhaled gas contrast agents was previously investigated as a way to identify well-functioning lung in patients with NSCLC who are clinical candidates for radiotherapy. Hyperpolarized noble-gas ({sup 3}He and {sup 129}Xe) MRI has also been optimized to measure functional lung information, but for a number of reasons, the clinical translation of this approach to guide radiotherapy planning has been limited. As an alternative, free-breathing pulmonary 1H MRI using clinically available MRI systems and pulse sequences provides a non-contrast-enhanced method to generate both ventilation and perfusion maps. Free-breathing {sup 1}H MRI exploits non-rigid registration and Fourier decomposition of MRI signal intensity differences (Bauman et al., MRM, 2009) that may be generated during normal tidal breathing. Here, our objective was to generate free-breathing {sup 1}H MRI ventilation and lung function avoidance maps in patients with NSCLC as a way to guide radiation therapy planning. Methods: Stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC patients (n=8, 68±9yr) provided written informed consent to a randomized controlled clinical trial ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02002052 ) that aimed to compare outcomes related to image-guided versus conventional radiation therapy planning. Hyperpolarized {sup 3}He/{sup 129}Xe and dynamic free tidal-breathing {sup 1}H MRI were acquired as previously described (Capaldi et al., Acad Radiol, 2015). Non-rigid registration was performed using the modality-independent-neighbourhood-descriptor (MIND) deformable approach (Heinrich et al., Med Image Anal, 2012). Ventilation-defect-percent ({sup 3}He:VDP{sub He}, {sup 129}Xe:VDP{sub Xe}, Free-breathing-{sup 1}H:VDP{sub FB}) and the corresponding ventilation maps were compared using Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Results: VDP{sub FB} was significantly related to VDP{sub He} (r=.71; p=.04) and VDP{sub Xe} (r=.80; p=.01) and there were also strong spatial relationships (DSC{sub He}/DSC{sub Xe}=89±3%/77±11%). Conclusion: In this proof of concept study in NSCLC patients, free-breathing {sup 1}H MRI ventilation defects were quantitatively and spatially related to inhaled-noble-gas MRI ventilation defects. Free-breathing {sup 1}H MRI measures lung function/ventilation that can be used to optimize radiotherapy planning in NSCLC patients.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Dose Calculation Methodology and Data for Solid Waste Performance Assessment and Composite Analysis at the Savannah River Site

This report provides a detailed description of the methodology developed to perform dose calculations for E-Area Low Level Waste Facility Performance Assessments and Savannah River Site Composite Analyses. Chapters 2 – 8 give a complete set of equations to be used to calculate dose for individual exposure pathways. The first set of dose scenarios assume that a member of the public establishes residence near the waste site and uses contaminated groundwater or contaminated surface water for personal consumption and to irrigate a garden and pasture where produce and farm animals are raised. Products from the garden and farm animals are used for personal consumption. This scenario applies to both E-Area Performance Assessments and Savannah River Site Composite Analyses. General dose exposure pathways for the resident farmer scenario are: 1. Ingestion pathways described in Chapter 2, 2. Inhalation pathways described in Chapter 3, 3. External exposure pathways described in Chapter 4, and 4. Recreational pathways described in Chapter 5 (Composite Analysis only). Doses from all of the above pathways are directly related to the contaminant concentration in the water. Additional dose scenarios considered for E-Area Performance Assessment assume that an inadvertent intruder encroaches on the waste disposal site after loss of institutional control. General dose exposure pathways considered for the inadvertent intruder are: 1. Ingestion pathways described in Chapter 6, 2. Inhalation pathways described in Chapter 7, and 3. External exposure pathways described in Chapter 8. Doses from all of the intruder pathways are directly related to the contaminant concentration in the buried waste. Special dose considerations related to human consumption of meat and dairy, and treatment of tritium in dose calculations are discussed in Chapter 9. Chapter 10 describes an Excel database named “Radionuclide, Element and Dose Parameter Data Package” that has been created to provide a system for maintaining the data required to perform radionuclide transport and dose calculations. This data includes: Isotope physical parameters and radioactive decay data needed for both transport and dose calculations, Isotope-specific dose coefficients and soil shielding factors associated with exposure pathways, Radionuclide drinking water concentration limits either published by the Environmental Protection Agency or derived from internal dose coefficients to meet the groundwater protection requirements in Department of Energy Order 435.1, Element-specific bio-transfer factors used in dose calculations, Dose equations and values of physical parameters and human factors used in dose calculations, and Key physical constants used in dose calculations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Particle integrity, sampling, and application of a DNA-tagged tracer for aerosol transport studies

Aerosols are an ever-present part of our daily environment and have extensive effects on both human and environmental health. Particles in the inhalable range (1-10 μm diameter) are of particular concern because their deposition in the lung can lead to a variety of illnesses including allergic reactions, viral or bacterial infections, and cancer. Understanding the transport of inhalable aerosols across both short and long distances is necessary to predict human exposures to aerosols. To assess the transport of hazardous aerosols, surrogate tracer particles are required to measure their transport through occupied spaces. These tracer particles must not only possess similar transport characteristics to those of interest but also be easily distinguished from the background at low levels and survive the environmental conditions of the testing environment. A previously-developed DNA-tagged particle (DNATrax), composed of food-grade sugar and a DNA oligonucleotide as a “barcode” label, shows promise as a new aerosol tracer. Herein, the use of DNATrax material is validated for use in both indoor and outdoor environments. Utilizing passive samplers made of materials commonly found in indoor environments followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for endpoint particle detection, particles detection was achieved up to 90 m from the aerosolization location and across shorter distances with high spatial resolution. The unique DNA label and PCR assay specificity were leveraged to perform multiple simultaneous experiments. This allowed the assessment of experimental reproducibility, a rare occurrence among aerosol field tests. To transition to outdoor testing, the solid material provides some protection of the DNA label when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, with 60% of the DNA remaining intact after 60 minutes under a germicidal lamp and the rate of degradation declining with irradiation time. Additionally, exposure of the DNATrax material using formulations of two different food-grade sugars (maltodextrin and erythritol) to humidity as high as 66% had no significant effect on the DNA label’s degradation or the particle’s aerodynamic diameter, confirming particle stability under such conditions. In summary, confirmation of the DNATrax particles’ size and label integrity under variable conditions combined with experiment multiplexing and high resolution sampling provides a powerful experimental design for modeling aerosol transport through occupied indoor and outdoor locations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

Dose Calculation Methodology and Data for Solid Waste Performance Assessment and Composite Analysis at the Savannah River Site

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

FGR 13 Dose Conversion Factor Files

The purpose of this document is to discuss the construction of two MACCS dose conversion factor (DCF) files in some detail, an older file created in 2007 named FGR13DCF.inp and a newer file created in 2018 called FGR13GyEquiv_RevA.inp. Very briefly, the difference between the two files is that the older file follows the standard conventions of assigning a radiation weighting factor of 20 for alpha radiation for all tissues and organs; whereas, the newer file complies with the FGR 13 health effects modeling and uses modified radiation weighting factors (referred to as relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factors) for alpha radiation of 10 for breast and of 1 for red bone marrow. During an intermediate period the creation of these two DCF files, a file called FGR13GyEquiv was created and used for the SOARCA calculations. This file was not released to the MACCS user community, but it is also discussed briefly in this document. DCF files are used by MACCS to convert air and ground radionuclide concentrations to doses to an organ or to the whole body. The MACCS calculation considers duration and shielding factor for each exposure pathway including cloudshine, groundshine, inhalation, and ingestion. Dose coefficients for cloudshine and groundshine are expressed as dose rates; dose coefficients for inhalation and ingestion are expressed as committed doses. In this document, dose coefficients (newer ICRP terminology) is used to describe the values contained in dose conversion factor (older ICRP terminology) files.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

DOE OSTI2022

User’s Manual for RESRAD-BUILD Code V.4: Vol. 1 – Methodology and Models Used in RESRAD-BUILD Code

The RESRAD-BUILD computer code models radionuclide release and transport in indoor environments and performs pathway analyses to evaluate the potential radiological dose and risk incurred by an individual who works or lives in a building contaminated with radioactive material or housing radioactively contaminated furniture or equipment. The code provides four geometries to characterize a radiation source: point, line, area, and volume, in which radionuclides are homogeneously distributed. Radionuclides contained in a source are considered to be released to the indoor air due to various processes including erosion (mechanically or weathering), diffusion (for tritium and radon in a volume source), or emanation (radon in a point, line, or area source). The release can proceed through different time phases with different rates. In RESRAD-BUILD Version 4.0, a dynamic ventilation model is implemented to simulate the fate and transport of source material particles and radionuclides after their releases. This dynamic ventilation model considers (1) air exchange between rooms in the building and between the rooms and the outdoor environment, (2) deposition from air to floor, (3) resuspension from the floor to the air, and (4) periodical vacuuming that reduces the floor deposition. The fate and transport modeling provides estimates of radionuclide concentrations in the source, in the air, and on the floor at different times, which are then integrated over the exposure duration for the calculation of radiation doses and cancer risks. A single run of the RESRAD-BUILD code can model a building with up to 9 rooms, 10 sources, and 10 receptors. The potential radiation dose and cancer risk incurred by each receptor are calculated for seven exposure pathways: (1) external radiation directly from the sources (accounting for shielding), (2) external radiation from radioactive particles deposited on the floors, (3) external radiation from airborne radionuclides, (4) inhalation of airborne radionuclides, (5) inhalation of radon and radon progenies, (6) inadvertent ingestion of radioactive particles directly from the source, and (7) ingestion of radioactive particles deposited on the floors. Various exposure scenarios can be modeled with RESRAD-BUILD, including but are not limited to, office worker, renovation worker, decontamination worker, building visitor, and resident. Both deterministic and probabilistic analyses can be performed to obtain results in both text reports and graphic displays.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Health Hazards of Exposures to Radioiodine

Iodine is a chemical element with atomic number 53. Iodine-127 is stable (non-radioactive) and commonly found in nature. Elemental iodine is a purple-colored solid at room temperature and pressure, but spontaneously sublimates (turns into vapor). Iodine is an essential element for life, and is required for proper functioning of the thyroid. Iodine is present in many foods, and is readily absorbed by the body and concentrated in the thyroid gland. A fraction of iodine ingested or inhaled is rapidly removed by the kidneys. The rest of the inhaled or ingested iodine is absorbed the by thyroid and retained for many months. Iodine has a biological half-life of approximately 120 days in health individuals. The biological half-life can be shorter in individuals with hyperthyroidism, and longer in individuals with hypothyroidism. Iodine has a number of radioactive isotopes, most of which have relatively short half-lives (days or weeks). Short half-life iodine isotopes are useful for a variety of medical applications, including imaging and cancer therapy. For example, Iodine-123 (half-life 13 hours) is commonly used for medical imaging of the thyroid, while iodine-131 (half-life 8 days) is used for suppressing thyroid function in individuals with hyperthyroidism or ablating (killing) thyroid cells to treat thyroid cancer. Iodine-125 (half-life 59 days) is produced in nuclear reactors, and has medical uses. Although iodine-125 can be used for thyroid imaging, Iodine-123 is more commonly used for that purpose because of its shorter half-life and higher-energy emissions. Iodine-125 is more commonly used for cancer treatment, and can be processed into small metal pellets (seeds) inserted directly into a tumor. Iodine-125 emits low-energy x-rays which can kill tumor cells and generally cannot escape the tumor, sparing other tissues. Medical iodine for imaging or treatment is typically administered orally in the form a pill or liquid solution. A typical adult thyroid scan using iodine-123 involves having the patient swallow between one and four 0.1 millicuries pills, with the exact dose dependent on the patient’s weight. This results in a whole-body committed effective dose of 80 – 320 mrem, and a thyroid equivalent dose of 1443 – 5772 mrem. Note that the whole-body effective dose relates to the overall cancer risk, while the larger equivalent dose to the thyroid only indicates that most of this risk is the result of exposure to the thyroid. These doses are considered safe, although the procedure is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. In contrast, the quantities of iodine-131 used for treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancers are much higher. For treatment of hyperthyroidism, 4 – 10 millicuries are administered, while for thyroid cancer the administration can range from 50 – 150 millicuries of I-131. In addition to medical exposures, large populations were exposed to radioiodine as result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, and the Chernobyl nuclear accident. These populations have been carefully followed for many years to assess the effect of their radiation exposures on cancer risk. As a result, a great deal is known about the cancer risks associated with radioiodine exposure. Because iodine is concentrated in the thyroid, the principal risk of exposure to radioiodine is thyroid cancer. Children have the highest risk of thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive iodine. According to a large study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, an effective dose of one Sievert (100,000 mrem) has been observed to increase the risk of thyroid cancer by a factor of 9.5 in children aged zero to nine years old, by a factor of 3 in children aged 10 to 19 years old, and by barely detectable amounts in adults. Another way of quantifying the risk from radioiodine exposure is from risk coefficients, which provide the risk per unit intake of radionuclides in terms of both morbidity (any cancer) and mortality (death). Both morbidity (risk of cancer) and mortality (death) risks are shown in the table below. Note that because thyroid cancer is almost never fatal, the morbidity coefficients are much larger than the mortality coefficients.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Adverse Neurological Effects of Wildfire Smoke

The respiratory and cardiovascular effects of smoke exposure are well documented from cigarette smoking and particulate matter (PM) associated with air-pollution studies, but epidemiological data also suggests exposure to high levels of woodsmoke correlate with central-nervous-system (CNS) dysfunction, including elevated rates of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia. Neuro-inflammation is believed to initiate the majority of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases attributed to environmental factors. We investigated whether inhaled PM and specific classes of compounds in wildfire smoke condensate extract (WSE) reach the brain and cause neuro-inflammation that can lead to progressive neurological degeneration, using isotope tracing of labeled particulate matter and major compound classes, biomarkers of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and biomarkers of neuro-inflammation. This project showed that inhalation exposure to PM and major compound classes present in WSE reached the brain through absorption in the nasal cavity and systemic circulation across the BBB. Twenty-four exposures of WSE to brain endothelial cells that form the main physical barrier of the BBB produced dose-dependent increases in biomarkers of inflammation and decreases in tight junction markers between cells. Intranasal exposure to WSE caused inflammatory disfunction in lung and brain. Biomarkers of inflammation increased and an enzyme inhibiting inflammation decreased. Similar patterns of chemical-induced changes in the lung and brain suggest either: (1) chemicals may act through shared molecular pathways upon entering lung and brain, or (2) that mediators originating in the lung circulate systemically to the brain and drive neuroinflammation. These findings warrant further mechanistic studies to delineate the temporal sequence of events to establish the lung-brain axis.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Respiratory Tract Lung Geometry and Dosimetry Model for Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

While inhalation toxicological studies of various compounds have been conducted using a number of different strains of rats, mechanistic dosimetry models have only had tracheobronchial (TB) structural data for Long-Evans rats, detailed morphometric data on the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats and limited alveolar data on other strains. Based upon CT imaging data for two male Sprague-Dawley rats, a 15-generation, symmetric typical path model was developed for the TB region. Literature data for the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed to develop an eight-generation model, and the two regions were joined to provide a complete lower respiratory tract model for Sprague-Dawley rats. The resulting lung model was used to examine particle deposition in Sprague-Dawley rats and to compare these results with predicted deposition in Long-Evans rats. Relationships of various physiologic variables and lung volumes were either developed in this study or extracted from the literature to provide the necessary input data for examining particle deposition. While the lengths, diameters and branching angles of the TB airways differed between the two Sprague-Dawley rats, the predicted deposition patterns in the three major respiratory tract regions were very similar. Between Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats, significant differences in TB and alveolar predicted deposition fractions were observed over a wide range of particle sizes, with TB deposition fractions being up to 3- to 4-fold greater in Sprague-Dawley rats and alveolar deposition being significantly greater in Long-Evans rats. Thus, strain-specific lung geometry models should be used for particle deposition calculations and interspecies dose comparisons.

Miller, Frederick J.↗

DOE OSTI2022

The development and use of decision support framework for informing selection of select agent toxins with modelling studies to inform permissible toxin amounts

Many countries have worked diligently to establish and implement policies and processes to regulate high consequence pathogens and toxins that could have a significant public health impact if misused. In the United States, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-132, 1996), as amended by the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-188, 2002) requires that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) [through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] establish a list of bacteria, viruses, and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Currently, this list is reviewed and updated on a biennial basis using input from subject matter experts (SMEs). We have developed decision support framework (DSF) approaches to facilitate selection of select toxins and, where toxicity data are known, conducted modelling studies to inform selection of toxin amounts that should be excluded from select agent regulations. Exclusion limits allow laboratories to possess toxins under an established limit to support their research or teaching activities without the requirement to register with the Federal Select Agent Program. Fact sheets capturing data from a previously vetted SME workshop convened by CDC, literature review and SME input were developed to assist in evaluating toxins using the DSF approach. The output of the DSF analysis agrees with the current select toxin designations, and no other toxins evaluated in this study were recommended for inclusion on the select agent and toxin list. To inform the selection of exclusion limits, attack scenarios were developed to estimate the amount of toxin needed to impact public health. Scenarios consisted of simulated aerosol releases of a toxin in high-population-density public facilities and the introduction of a toxin into a daily consumable product supply chain. Using published inhalation and ingestion median toxic dose (TD 50 ) and median lethal dose (LD 50 ) values, where available, a range of toxin amounts was examined to estimate the number of people exposed to these amounts in these scenarios. Based on data generated by these models, we proposed toxin exclusion values corresponding to levels below those that would trigger a significant public health response (i.e., amounts estimated to expose up to ten people by inhalation or one hundred people by ingestion to LD 50 or TD 50 levels of toxin in the modeled scenarios).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Investigation of microorganisms in cannabis after heating in a commercial vaporizer

There are concerns about microorganisms present on cannabis materials used in clinical settings by individuals whose health status is already compromised and are likely more susceptible to opportunistic infections from microbial populations present on the materials. Most concerning is administration by inhalation where cannabis plant material is heated in a vaporizer, aerosolized, and inhaled to receive the bioactive ingredients. Heating to high temperatures is known to kill microorganisms including bacteria and fungi; however, microbial death is dependent upon exposure time and temperature. It is unknown whether the heating of cannabis at temperatures and times designated by a commercial vaporizer utilized in clinical settings will significantly decrease the microbial loads in cannabis plant material. To assess this question, bulk cannabis plant material supplied by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) was used to assess the impact of heating by a commercial vaporizer. Initial method development studies using a cannabis placebo spiked with Escherichia coli were performed to optimize culture and recovery parameters. Subsequent studies were carried out using the cannabis placebo, low delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency and high THC potency cannabis materials exposed to either no heat or heating for 30 or 70 seconds at 190°C. Phosphate-buffered saline was added to the samples and the samples agitated to suspend the microorganism. Microbial growth after no heat or heating was evaluated by plating on growth media and determining the total aerobic microbial counts and total yeast and mold counts. Overall, while there were trends of reductions in microbial counts with heating, these reductions were not statistically significant, indicating that heating using standard vaporization parameters of 70 seconds at 190°C may not eliminate the existing microbial bioburden, including any opportunistic pathogens. When cultured organisms were identified by DNA sequence analyses, several fungal and bacterial taxa were detected in the different products that have been associated with opportunistic infections or allergic reactions including Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Aspergillus.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Differential transcriptomic alterations in nasal versus lung tissue of acrolein-exposed rats

Introduction: Acrolein is a significant component of anthropogenic and wildfire emissions, as well as cigarette smoke. Although acrolein primarily deposits in the upper respiratory tract upon inhalation, patterns of site-specific injury in nasal versus pulmonary tissues are not well characterized. This assessment is critical in the design of in vitro and in vivo studies performed for assessing health risk of irritant air pollutants. Methods: In this study, male and female Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed nose-only to air or acrolein. Rats in the acrolein exposure group were exposed to incremental concentrations of acrolein (0, 0.1, 0.316, 1 ppm) for the first 30 min, followed by a 3.5 h exposure at 3.16 ppm. In the first cohort of male and female rats, nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were analyzed for markers of inflammation, and in a second cohort of males, nasal airway and left lung tissues were used for mRNA sequencing. Results: Protein leakage in nasal airways of acrolein-exposed rats was similar in both sexes; however, inflammatory cells and cytokine increases were more pronounced in males when compared to females. No consistent changes were noted in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of males or females except for increases in total cells and IL-6. Acrolein-exposed male rats had 452 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in nasal tissue versus only 95 in the lung. Pathway analysis of DEGs in the nose indicated acute phase response signaling, Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, and other inflammatory pathways, whereas in the lung, xenobiotic metabolism pathways were changed. Genes associated with glucocorticoid and GPCR signaling were also changed in the nose but not in the lung. Discussion: These data provide insights into inhaled acrolein-mediated sex-specific injury/inflammation in the nasal and pulmonary airways. The transcriptional response in the nose reflects acrolein-induced acute oxidative and cytokine signaling changes, which might have implications for upper airway inflammatory disease susceptibility.

Alewel, Devin I.↗

DOE OSTI2023

In-silico quantification of intersubject variability on aerosol deposition in the oral airway

The extrathoracic oral airway I s not only a major mechanical barrier for pharmaceutical aerosols to reach the lung but also a major source of variability in lung deposition. Using computational fluid dynamics, deposition of 1-30 µm particles was predicted in 11 CT-based models of the oral airways of adults (7 healthy subjects and 4 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Simulations were performed for mouth breathing during both inspiration and expiration at two steady-state flow rates representative of resting/light activity (18 L/min) and of that typically used during aerosol inhalation from a dry powder inhaler (45 L/min). For each subject, oral deposition increased with increasing particle size and flow rate. When averaged over all subjects, there was no significant difference in oral deposition efficiency between inspiration and expiration, unlike subregional deposition that show significantly different patterns between the two breathing phases. Consistent with previous in-vitro inspiratory studies, our data showed a large intersubject variability in oral deposition. These results highlight the need for incorporating morphological variation of the upper airway in predictive models of aerosol deposition for accurate predictions of particle dosimetry in the intrathoracic region of the lung.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Inertial impac↗

NASA NTRS1972

Toxic Hazards Research Unit annual technical report, 1972

The activities of the Toxic Hazards Research Unit (THRU) for the period of June 1971 through May 1972 are reviewed in this report. Acute inhalation toxicity experiments were conducted on hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas and aerosol, ethyl bromide (C2H5Br), hydrogen bromide (HBr), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), chlorine (CL2), and silane (SiH4). Subacute toxicity studies were conducted on chlorine pentafluoride (ClF5), dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and coal tar volatiles. Further toxicity studies of subacute and chronic responses to inhaled monomethylhydrazine (MMH) are also described.

Macewen, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Metabolic analyzer

An apparatus is described for the measurement of metabolic rate and breathing dynamics in which inhaled and exhaled breath are sensed by sealed, piston-displacement type spirometers. These spirometers electrically measure the volume of inhaled and exhaled breath. A mass spectrometer analyzes simultaneously for oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor. Circuits responsive to the outputs of the spirometers, mass spectrometer, temperature, pressure, and timing signals compute oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute volume, and respiratory exchange ratio. A selective indicator provides for readout of these data at predetermined cyclic intervals.

Perry, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Metabolic analyzer

An apparatus is described for the measurement of metabolic rate and breathing dynamics in which inhaled and exhaled breath are sensed by sealed, piston-displacement type spirometers. These spirometers electrically measure the volume of inhaled and exhaled breath. A mass spectrometer analyzes simultaneously for oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor. Computation circuits are responsive to the outputs of the spirometers, mass spectrometer, temperature, pressure and timing signals and compute oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute volume and respiratory exchange ratio. A selective indicator provides for read-out of these data at predetermined cyclic intervals.

Rummel, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Programmable Cadence Timer

Electronic metronome paces users through wide range of exercise routines. Conceptual programmable cadence timer provides rhythmic aural and visual cues. Timer automatically changes cadence according to program entered by the user. It also functions as clock, stopwatch, or alarm. Modular pacer operated as single unit or as two units. With audiovisual module moved away from base module, user concentrates on exercise cues without distraction from information appearing on the liquid-crystal display. Variety of uses in rehabilitative medicine, experimental medicine, sports, and gymnastics. Used in intermittent positive-pressure breathing treatment, in which patient must rhythmically inhale and retain medication delivered under positive pressure; and in incentive spirometer treatment, in which patient must inhale maximally at regular intervals.

Hall, William A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Thermal degradation events as health hazards - Particle vs gas phase effects, mechanistic studies with particles

Experiments on animal subjects are performed to demonstrate that significant lung injury can result from the inhalation of ultrafine TiO2 or Al2O3 particles. The methods include intratracheal instillation of particles, long-term inhalation of particles, and in vitro studies of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to study the production of fibroplast growth factors. The ultrafine TiO2 particles are shown to induce more acute inflammatory reactions than larger particles and lead to persistent chronic effects in the AM-mediated clearance function of particles. The ultrafine particles also induce cytokines more readily, and the data generally suggests that the occurrence of such particles in thermal degradation events makes the fumes highly toxic. The exposure to thermal degradation products is therefore a critical concern for manned space missions with potentially degradable plastic products.

Oberdoerster, G.↗