It has been well recognized that sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are most ubiquitous ambient noxious gases and are regarded as the major air pollutants. Recently, many reports on the synergic effects jf the mixed gases are indicating that these kind of studies are attracting the academic interest in the field of the environmental pollution. Author designed this study to elucidate the inhalation effects of the mixed gases (sulfur dioxide of 5 ppm and carbon monoxide of 1, 500 ppm) on the hematologic findings and the histiopathological changes in the lung of the rats.
The following findings were obtained:
1. In the third weeks exposure group, anemic findings were observed in spite of expected hypoxemic polycythemia. Although exact mechanisms could not be clarified through this study, antagonistic actions by mixing SO2 to CO have to be scrutinized by further studies.
2. Leukdpenia was found in both first week exposure and third weeks exposure groups. In the differential count of White Blood Cell, marked neutrophilia was observed. These hematologic findings might be affiliated to the pathological changes of the lungs.
3. In the first week exposure group, were observed the histopathologicalf changes in rat lungs showing focal and diffuse interstitial pneumonitis in moderate degree, associated with moderate congestion, and presence of
intraalveolar edema and multiple petcchial hemorrhages in the parenchyma. The latter two findings were probablly attributed to the inhalation effects of Carbon Monoxide gas. While in sulfur dioxide single exposure group in the same condition were observed mild and focal interstitial pneumonitis and mild congestion. These histiopathological pictures were specially enhanced by inhalation of Carbon Monoxide gas in mixed exposure.
4. In the third weeks exposure group were observed the histiopathological changes in rat lungs, showing diffuse interstitial pneumonitis in moderate to marked degree, associated with marked congestion and petechial hemorrhages :however, out of 10 cases were not present the finding of intraalveolar edema. Of these were observed the findings of Goblet cell hyperplasia, peribronchial lymphoid hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration in marked degree.
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