Preliminary Studies of Sulphur Mustard–Induced Lung Injury in the Terminally Anesthetized Pig: Exposure System and Methodology

ABSTRACTAlthough normally regarded as a vesicant, inhalation of sulphur mustard (HD) vapor can cause life-threatening lung injury for which there is no specific treatment. Novel therapies for HD-induced lung injury are best investigated in an in vivo model that allows monitoring of a range of physiological variables.HD vapor was generated using two customized thermostatically controlled glass flasks in parallel. The vapor was passed into a carrier flow of air (81 L· min−1) and down a length of glass exposure tube (1.75 m). A pig was connected to the midpoint of the exposure tube via a polytetrafluoroethylene-lined endotracheal tube, Fleisch pneumotachograph, and sample port. HD vapor concentrations (40–122.8 mg. m−3) up-and downstream of the point of exposure were obtained by sampling onto Porapak absorption tubes with subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-flame photometric detection. Real-time estimates of vapor concentration were determined using a photo-ionization detector. Lung function indices (r...