Effect of Chronic Exposure to Ultrasonic Aerosols on the Lung

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Abstract
Exposure for 6 hr. to aerosols produced by ultrasonic nebulizers has been shown not to affect adversely the lungs of experimental animals. In order to evaluate the effects of long term exposure, 16 puppies were exposed to ultrasonic aerosols of normal saline solution or distilled water for 72 hr. Pathological changes compatible with severe bronchopneumonia were seen in all 8 animals exposed to saline; only 2 puppies exposed to distilled water had obvious pulmonary lesions. No significant alteration in pulmonary surfactant activity or deflation pressure volume curves were demonstrated. We conclude that continuous wetting of the lung with a high output of ultrasonic aerosol may be deleterious when used for prolonged periods. The exact time necessary to produce these lesions with various fluids remains to be determined. It seems reasonable to speculate, however, that the more hypertonic the fluid the more rapidly these lesions will develop.