Measurement of Respiration and Respiratory Responses During Inhalation Exposures

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Abstract
This report reviews approaches for making measurements of the respiration of subjects during inhalation exposures. Respiration is measured to quantitate the volume of exposure material inhaled, to evaluate the normalcy and steadiness of respiration during exposure, to relate breathing pattern to deposition or uptake of inhaled materials, to detect physiological responses to inhaled materials, and to monitor respiration during controlled breathing. A small number of basic devices are commonly used during exposures, including nonrebreathing valves, pneumotachographs, spirometers, and plethysmographs. Less frequently used devices adaptable for use during exposures include hot wire anemometers, respiratory-inductive plethysmographs, and impedance pneumographs. These devices, some of their potential uses, and their advantages and disadvantages are described and useful references are given. Several useful combinations of respiratory measurement devices are suggested for low-volume, bag-to-bag, and immersion exposure systems.