Biological effects of urban air pollution. II. Chronic exposure of guinea pigs.

Abstract

Rodents exposed to the ambient atmosphere of Los Angeles throughout their lives have been studied in comparison with animals maintained in smog-filtered atmospheres. In aging inbred mice of certain strains, there was an increased incidence of pulmonary adenoma. In one strain mortality of males (but not females) during the first year of life was increased. Severe smog episodes caused lung tissue alterations at the ultrastructural level, especially in mice older than 15 months. Severe episodes produced transient increases in pulmonary resistance in old guinea pigs but no demonstrable chronic or cumulative effects on this parameter. In guinea pigs sensitized by prior stress treatment, urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids was enhanced by ambient atmosphere exposure. After two or three years of exposure, rabbits exhibited reduced activity of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase in blood serum.