TOXICITY OF AEROSOLS OF SODIUM REACTION-PRODUCTS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (4) , 1139-1150
Abstract
Na is used as the heat transfer medium in several new energy technologies such as liquid-metal fast-breeder reactors and solar-thermal collection systems. Because Na burns in air and reacts violently with water, the potential exists for an airborne release of Na combustion products and subsequent human exposure. To evaluate the potential short term hazard from an accidental Na fire, male juvenile or adult Wistar rats were exposed to Na aerosols for 2 h to determine the ED50 for each age group. The estimated ED50 of 510 .mu.g/l for adults was not significantly different from the estimated ED50 of 489 .mu.g/l for juveniles. The incidence of acute laryngitis, attributed to exposure, was 3 .times. higher for juvenile rats than for adults and the degree of severity of this lesion was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for juveniles.

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