Inhalation toxicity of lithium combustion aerosols in rats

Abstract

Studies of the acute inhalation toxicity of lithium combustion aerosols were undertaken to aid in evaluating the health hazards associated with the proposed use of lithium metal in fusion reactors. A system was developed to generate lithium combustion aerosols by sweeping vapor from molten lithium metal into a controlled air atmosphere. Male and female F344/Lov rats, 9-12 wk of age, were exposed once for 4 h to concentrations of 2600, 2300, 1400, or 620 mg/m3 of aerosol (MMAD = 0.69 micrometer, sigma g = 1.45) that was approximately 80% lithium carbonate and 20% lithium hydroxide to determine the acute toxic effects. Fourteen-day LC50 values (with 95% confidence limits) of 1700 (1300-2000) mg/m3 for the male rats and 2000 (1700-2400) mg/m3 for the female rate were calculated. Clinical signs of anorexia, dehydration, respiratory difficulty, and perioral and perinasal encrustation were observed. Body weights were decreased the first day after exposure in relation to the exposure concentration. In animals observed for an additional 2 wk, body weights, organ weights, and clinical signs began to return to preexposure values. Histopathologic examination of the respiratory tracts from the animals revealed ulcerative or necrotic laryngitis, focal to segmental ulcerative rhinitis often accompanied by areas of squamous metaplasia, and, in some cases, a suppurative bronchopneumonia or aspiration pneumonia, probably secondary to the laryngeal lesions. The results of these studies indicate the moderate acute toxicity of lithium carbonate aerosols and will aid in the risk analysis of accidental releases of lithium combustion aerosols.

New insights into negative effects of lithium on sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus embryos

“…Only scarce information is available on the inhalation toxicity of lithium, although nasal irritations and coughing were reported in occupationally exposed workers 4 . Some data are available on rats exposed for 4 h to aerosols containing 80% lithium carbonate: they displayed ulcerative rhinitis often accompanied by squamous metaplasia, necrotic laryngitis and respiratory difficulties 8 . Moreover, signs of anorexia and dehydration were observed, showing that inhaled lithium crosses the lipid-rich layer lining the lung alveolar surface to reach the kidney via the blood 9 .…”

IV. Ikergazte. Nazioarteko ikerketa euskaraz. Kongresuko artikulu bilduma. Zientziak eta Natura Zientzia

“…Adibidez, arratoiek errinitis ultzeratiboa, metaplasia ezkatatsua, laringitis nekrosikoa eta arnas zailtasunak garatzen dituzte %80 litio karbonatoa duten aerosolekiko esposizioa jasatean. Anorexia eta deshidratazio adierazgarriak ere antzeman dira, litioarekin tratatutako pertsonetan (Greenspan et al, 1986).…”

Pulmonary Acute Lesions After Caustic Exposure

“…Acute inhalation toxicity of lithium combustion aerosols was studied in rats 17,18 . Respiratory difficulty, perioral and perinasal encrustation were observed.…”

“…Pulmonary lesions represented a secondary extension of the upper respiratory tract lesions rather than a primary manifestation of lithium toxicity 17 . These lesions are often accompanied by areas of squamous metaplasia, and, in some cases, a suppurative bronchopneumonia or aspiration pneumonia, probably secondary to the laryngeal lesions 18 .…”