Lung hemorrhage produced by exposure to underwater acoustic impulses.

Underwater acoustic impulse sources are used in various commercial and military applications. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of mammalian lung to exposure to underwater acoustic impulses. A laboratory‐based acoustic exposure system was developed to investigate the bioeffects of underwater impulses. Underwater acoustic impulses were generated using a ten cubic inch air gun operated in a large water tank. Underwater acoustic impulses with peak pressure amplitudes ranging from 0 (sham) to 110 kPa were investigated. Experiments were performed with anesthetized adult mice. Each exposure consisted of five acoustic impulses with approximately 20 s between impulses. Mammalian lung hemorrhage can occur in response to exposure to underwater acoustic impulses. The pressure threshold for lung hemorrhage resulting from five air gun impulses was approximately 50 kPa. The extent of lung damage increased with increasing pressure amplitude. The results of this work are relevant to establishing...