Acute inhalation toxicity of neutralized Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS) containing agent in chloroform

An acute head‐only inhalation study was conducted in rats exposed for 1 h to product solution (wastestream) resultant from the chemical neutralization of Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS) containing agent (sulfur mustard (HD), nitrogen mustard (HN‐1) or lewisite (L)) in chloroform. Groups of Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to varying concentrations (24 000, 18 000, 12 000 or 6000 ppm) of CAIS wastestream. An additional group was exposed to the vehicle (chloroform/t‐butanol) only, at a concentration equivalent to the concentration of vehicle at the highest exposure level. Animals were evaluated for toxic effects, including assessment of toxicant‐induced alterations to the ocular and respiratory systems. Mortality on exposure to 24 000 ppm of test article or to vehicle alone was high. Mortality in the other exposure groups was roughly proportional to the concentration of test article (wastestream). Toxic signs were consistent with exposure to solvent system components (chloroform/t‐butanol) and to agent decomposition products/by‐products. Incidence and severity of ocular effects were similar in vehicle control and treatment groups. The salient respiratory effect observed was a decreased minute volume, which was also noted in vehicle and treatment groups. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.