Two-week studies of survivors from exposures to pyrolysis gases

Swiss Webster male mice which had survived near-lethal concentrations of pyrolysis gases from a variety of polymeric materials were killed two weeks after exposure, and the lungs, heart, liver, kidney, and spleen were examined. Microscopic examination revealed no significant effects on the liver, kidney, and spleen, while the effect on lungs could not be determined because of the high level of pathology in both experimental and control animals. The polymeric materials which were pyrolyzed were polyethylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polyaryl sulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, modified polyphenylene oxide, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, and fluorene polycarbonate. It is suggested that tissue specimens should be examined 24 or 48 hr after exposure rather than 2 wks after exposure, since the 2 wk period permits healing to occur.