Repeated and continuous exposure of laboratory animals to acrolein

Abstract

Experimental animals were repeatedly exposed to acrolein vapors 8 hr/day, 5 days/wk for 6 consecutive weeks in 2 studies at concentrations of 0.7 and 3.7 ppm. Four continuous exposures to acrolein were conducted 24 hr/day for 90 days at concentrations of 0.21, 0.23, 1.0, and 1.8 ppm. Each experimental group of animals contained rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, and dogs. The animals were observed for toxic signs, mortality, and weight changes, and hematologic, biochemical, pathologic, and histopathologic examinations were made on the surviving animals. In both of the lower-level continuous exposures and in the 0.7 ppm repeated exposure, the animals appeared normal throughout the studies and gained weight. In the higher-level continuous exposures and the 3.7 ppm repeated study, the dogs and monkeys were visibly affected, and abnormal weight patterns were observed in some animals. The data from repeated studies support the current Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 0.1 ppm. A tentative 90-day Confined Space Guideline (CSG) of 0.02 ppm is suggested based on data obtained from these studies.