The Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity of DF2 (Diesel Fuel) Used in Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke Systems (VEESS)

Mice and rats were exposed by the airborne route to average total hydrocarbon concentrations of 2,340 + or - 450 mg/cu m of M60A1 tank-generated DF2 smoke/exhaust or 6.0 + or - mg/cu m of DF2 exhaust only. The exposures were performed under static airflow conditions and consisted of 15- or 60-min daily exposures lasting for up to 13 weeks. Toxicological, physiological, hematological, blood chemical, behavioral, reproductive, mutagenic, teratogenic, and pathological effects were evaluated. Two consistent significant toxicological effects were found as a result of the exposures to either type of emission. The toxic sign hypoactivity was observed in both species after daily 60-min exposures to the DF2 smoke/exhaust mixture. The other effects were fetal toxicity and possible fetal abnormalities in some rat pups deliverd from pregnant dams that had been exposed (60-min daily) to the DF2 smoke and/or exhaust emissions during the 6th to 15th day of gestation. On the basis of these and previous findings, it is recommended that personnel wear protective masks while stationed in the midst of DF2 smoke and/or exhaust emissions generated by the M60A1 tank Vehicle Engine Smoke System at the concentrations used in these studies. Keywords: Pulmonary function tests; Inhalation (total body exposure); and Carboxyhemaglobin.