Whole-body exposures to a phosphoric acids aerosol: II. Food/water/weight effects in wild rodent and avian species.
Separate inhalation-chamber studies were conducted to assess acute/subacute food intake (g), water intake (ml), and body weight (g) effects of four whole-body phosphoric-acids-aerosol exposures in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus); subacute effects of two exposures were studied in rock doves (Columba livia). A 95% red phosphorus/5% butyl rubber (RP/BR) mixture was burned to produce the aerosol. Each study involved (1) 3 RP/BR target concentration groups (0.0, 1.0, and 4.0 mg/L), (2) 24 prairie dogs or doves (8/group), with gender included as a factor in each study, and (3) a successive 3-phase paradigm (2 d preexposure; 4 and 2 d of approximately 80 min/d exposures to RP/BR for prairie dogs and rock doves, respectively; and 6 d postexposure). Results showed that in-chamber atmospheres were uniform and acceptable for all exposures. No prairie dogs died, but 1 male rock dove died on d 3 postexposure to 4.0 mg/L aerosol. Concentration and gender main effects were significant for the acute (2 h out-of-chamber) food intake, water intake, and weight change of prairie dogs, with aerosol-exposed and male rodents showing decrements. Gender and day main effects were also significant for the subacute (23 h/d) variables in prairie dogs; females weighted less than males, and reduced food/water/weight was evident for all animals during the 4 exposure days and first 3 postexposure days. For rock doves, subacute gender and day main effects, plus concentration x day and concentration x gender x day interactions, characterized the data. A transitive relationship was evident among RP/BR aerosol conditions (0.0 < 1.0 < 4.0 mg/L) and mean decreased food intakes on the exposure days (d2 < d1). Enhanced postexposure water replenishment by female versus male doves exposed to 4.0 mg/L RP/BR aerosol was a main finding. Results are explained based upon a temporal model of phosphoric acid caused ulcers/edema. Effects are compared to prior evidence for albino rats, prairie dogs and rock doves; these are also discussed relative to certain human health and ecotoxicological literature.
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USDA/APHIS/ADC, Denver Wildlife Research Center, CO 80225-0266.
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001273:Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D010856:Columbidae; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D012589:Sciuridae
D000336:Aerosols; D010756:Phosphoric Acids