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November, 2000 Greetings, Colleague: This e-mail, the second issue of an informal monthly newsletter and equally informal discussion forum, addresses topics related to inhalation toxicology and biotechnology. We expect to address a variety of topics, some highly specialized but also some of general interest to those who may be new to the field. Your e-mail address has been included in this mailing because of your society membership or your research interest in this field. To have your address deleted from our mailing list, see the section: Additions, Changes and Removals near the end of this message. In any case, we trust you will pass our reply address on to a colleague if you find it of value. Inhalation Toxicology Forum Inhalation exposure and dose, with or without overt toxicity, involves the respiratory entry, deposition and absorption of gases, solids and liquids (the latter two most often as aerosols) within the lungs. These events depend in part on lung morphology which is discussed at: http://www.inhalation.net/lung_morphology_and_particle_dep. The transport of particles to the lungs depends on particle size. This subject, the influence of particle size distribution on the delivered dose, is available at: http://www.inhalation.net/particle_size_distributions.htm As particles transit the respiratory tract, the size distribution may change due to elevated relative humidity. Contributing authors Bijan Fan and Yung Sung Cheng of Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI) describe the results of their experimental work at: http://www.inhalation.net/rh_effects.htm Information on LRRI may be obtained from Dr. William Bechtold (wbechtold@lrri.org) or from Lynn E. Drob (ldrob@lrri.org). Calendar of Events http://www.inhalation.net/calendar.htm Please contact jaegerr@idt.net if you would like to post information on a meeting related to inhalation toxicology. FAQs and FYI Shortly after the first newsletter, a reader commented that experiments with toxic agents given by the respiratory route should be done in a manner that prevents exposure of laboratory personnel. We couldn't agree more! He particularly noted that some restraint tubes are open and vented for animal comfort. Thus, they could permit toxic materials to leak out if bench top, positive pressure exposures are conducted. In agreement with him, we suggest that you always use a reduced-pressure hood or vented cabinet with a sufficient face velocity to capture any released materials. Where a particular concern exists and more complete exposure control is desired, the use of sealed tubes and a negative pressure exposure system is the best solution. A number of vendors, particularly CH Technologies, offers choices in restraint tube type. In any case, all inhalation exposures should be conducted in a properly vented (and monitored) hood enclosure or safety cabinet. Negative versus positive pressure exposure will depend on the protocol and the aerosol or exposure generation requirements. A collection of comments will be found at: http://www.inhalation.net/faqs Surplus Equipment If you are aware of a colleague or a facility that has inhalation technology that is no longer needed or if you have a need for equipment that is not available within your laboratory or institution, please let us know about your need. We hope to use this forum as a means to help you find what you require. Requests and inquiries can be kept in confidence if desired. Comments and Letters to the Editor The Editorial staff welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail and your news or research articles to the Editor at If your research group or institution has an interest in being listed or wise identified as having a special skill, e.g. pulmonary measurements, fiber exposure, cigarette smoke exposure, etc., send your request to a member of the editorial staff. We don't promote ads but knowledge is power. Also, sponsorship is welcome. Sponsorship and Creative Credit This site was designed by Dr. Doug Cooper using Microsoft's FRONT PAGE web authoring software. Dr. Susan Shami, our resident respiratory biologist and resident artist prefers Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software; she is responsible for the graphics and design. As you might expect, the site is supported by CH Technologies (USA) Inc. The firm designs and manufactures a variety of inhalation toxicology and biotechnology related systems. Additional information on their product line is available at: Support also comes from Environmental Medicine Inc. They are found at: Additions, Changes and Removals Send email to: Place the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Other pertinent information or comments may appear in the body. For removal from the list, just include the word "REMOVE" in the subject line and we will see to your request. EDITORIAL STAFF Rudolph J. Jaeger, Ph.D., DABT............................................................. + 201 666 2335 Publisher/Editor................................................................................... jaegerr@idt.net Douglas W. Cooper, Ph.D., Aerosol Science Editor............................................................ dwcooper_99@yahoo.com Susan G. Shami, ScD, Respiratory Biology Editor....................................................... susanshami@netscape.net Arlene L. Weiss, MS, DABT, Air Pollution, Toxicology and Epidemiology Editor....................................................................... pharmtoxic@aol.com
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