Furnace-generated acid aerosols: Speciation and pulmonary effects

Abstract

Guinea pigs were exposed to ultrafine aerosols (< 0.1 μm) of zinc oxide with a surface layer of sulfuric acid. These acid-coated aerosols are typical of primary emissions from smelters and coal combustors. Repeated daily 3-hr exposures for 5 days produce decrements in lung volumes and pulmonary diffusing capacity and elevations of lung weight/body weight ratio, protein, and number of neutrophils in pulmonary lavage fluid at concentrations of 20 μg/m3. A single 1-hr exposure to 20 μg/m3 causes increased bronchial reactivity. Higher concentrations of conventionally generated sulfuric acid mist are required to produce responses of similar magnitude.