Effects of short-term exposures to sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate aerosols upon bronchial airway function in the donkey.

The effects of one-hour inhalation exposures to 0.3-0.6 micrometer H2SO4 and (NH4)2SO4 aerosols in the donkey were studied in terms of alterations in pulmonary flow resistance and dynamic compliance, and changes in the regional deposition and tracheobronchial mucocilliary clearance of an inert test aerosol. Short-term slowing of clearance followed certain single exposures to H2SO4 at 194-1364 microgram/m3 in three of four animals, while two of the four demonstrated a more persistent slowing of their clearance. These exposure levels produced no measurable change in resistance, compliance or regional deposition. Exposures to (NH4)SO4 up to approximately 2000 microgram/m3 had no mearurable effect upon resistance, compliance, regional deposition or mucociliary clearance.