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The mechanisms of the toxic effect of combustion exhaust gases

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Summary

Up to now investigations related to the toxicity of air pollutants were chiefly concentrated on single components of combustion gases. From the toxicological point of view, however, the main interest is the combined effect of all compounds involved. Experiments have been performed on guinea pigs exposed for 116 days to combustion gases introduced into inhalation chambers from the chimney of a power station. The exhaust was diluted with atmospheric air so as to bring the SO2 concentration around 1 mg/Nm3. The following determinations were made in the exposed animals: body weight, blood morphology, acid-base, balance, electrolytes, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Post-mortem examinations both macroscopic and microscopic including many histochemical reactions have been performed.

It has been shown that combustion gases cause changes in the respiratory system consisting in a reduction of lung ventilation with a consequent respiratory acidosis.

Metabolic disturbances found in intoxication with combustion gases are based on changes in proteins, mainly enzymes. This is reflected by growth inhibition of the exposed animals, reduction of their resistance and a consequent increase of the frequency of bacterial infections. The exposed animals displayed disturbances in lipid metabolism, most probably as a result of oxidation. A reduction of the content of lipids in blood and tissues after exposure was noticed.

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism were found resulting in a reduction of glycogen content in liver and accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the walls of the blood vessels.

Disturbances in mineral metabolism which have been found are regarded as a result of changes of the activity of enzymes taking part in active transport. Biochemical tests pointed to an intensification of catabolic processes as well as a decrease in tissue oxidation.

The toxic effect of combustion gases is multidirectional and may cause lesions in the functions of many organs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Silesian Medical School and Institute of Occupational Health in the Mining and Metallurgical Industries, Poland

    Stanisław KoŚmider, Marian Drożdż, Mieczysław Luciak, Kornel Ludyga, Adam Misiewicz, Jan Szyguła & Kazimierz Zajusz

  2. Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych i Zawodowych, Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej, Str. 3-go, Maja 15, Zabrze, Poland

    Stanisław KoŚmider

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  1. Stanisław KoŚmider
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  2. Marian Drożdż
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  3. Mieczysław Luciak
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  4. Kornel Ludyga
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  5. Adam Misiewicz
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  6. Jan Szyguła
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  7. Kazimierz Zajusz
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Additional information

The work was executed by a team of the staff of the Silesian Medical School and the Institute of Occupational Health in the Mining and Metallurgical Industries under the direction of doc. Dr. med. Stanisław KoŚmider.

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KoŚmider, S., Drożdż, M., Luciak, M. et al. The mechanisms of the toxic effect of combustion exhaust gases. Int. Arch. Arbeitsmed 29, 28–46 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539026

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539026

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