A rat model to evaluate the pesticide permeability and stress effects of protective clothing.

No animal model exists for testing the suitability of a protective garment before actual application in humans. The animal testing model is valuable in particular as the assessment of permeability of hazardous chemicals in humans cannot be easily performed due to possible toxicity to test subjects. We explored a rat model by designing a protective garment to fit rats, and then examining pesticide permeability and physiological responses. When nongarmented rats were exercised in a treadmill, there were increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure and body temperature. The increases in heart rate and body temperature were further augmented by wearing the protective garment. Fenitrothion, an organophosphate insecticide, was detected in plasma after application on the dorsal area in plasma of nongarmented and garmented (comparable to regular human work clothes) rats. Plasma acetylcholine esterase activity was decreased, suggesting intoxication in these animals. Fenitrothion intoxication was not observed in rats wearing a protective garment. In humans, heart rate and body temperature augmentation were also observed when wearing a protective garment. This result suggests that the present rat model provides a useful assessment of chemical permeability and stress effects of protective garments.