Modeling of Toxicological Effects of Fire Gases: Iv. Intoxication of Rats By Carbon Monoxide in the Presence of an Irritant

Abstract

A mathematical model is described for the intoxication of rats by carbon monoxide which is a function of carbon monoxide concentration, time of ex posure and respiratory minute volume, the latter being dependent upon the con centration of an irritant, hydrogen chloride. Predictions of the model, which were verified experimentally, led to the conclusion that the overall effect of the presence of HCI on intoxication of rats by CO is relatively minor and appears to lie in a "window" of about 400 to 1000 ppm HCI and within a range of CO con centrations up to about 4000 ppm. The predominant effect is, therefore, on in capacitating rather than lethal conditions when modest time frames are in volved.