[Toxicologic characteristics and hygienic standardization of the levels of sodium hydrocarbonate and potassium carbonate in the air of the work area].

Toxicity and hazards of sodium hydrocarbonate (SH) and potassium carbonate (PC) were experimentally assessed. Both substances caused impairments of electrolytic equilibrium, protein metabolism, changes of functional and biochemical indicators of the cardiovascular system, etc. LD50 of SH for white rats constituted 9940 +/- 350 mg/kg, for mice 3360 +/- 210 mg/kg and of PC 2980 +/- 142 and 2570 +/- 142 mg/kg, respectively. The authors failed to define mean lethal concentrations of both substances. The following threshold values Limac were established at 74 mg/m3 for SH and at 54 mg/m3 for PC. Limch was respectively 14.9 and 4.7 mg/m3. MAC for SH was established at 5 mg/m3 and for PC at 2 mg/m3.