Time dependent histomorphological assessment of lung damage induced by inhaled dibenz(b,f)-1-4-oxazepine (CR) and 1-chloroacetophenone (CN) in rats.

Lung damage caused by inhalation (single exposure for 60 min) of sublethal concentration of pure aerosols of dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepine (CR) and 1-chloroacetophenone (CN) have been examined at different time intervals in rats. The damage was not severe with CR (2830 mg.m-3) but in the case of CN (60.26 mg.m-3) it was evident up to 30th day post exposure. Necrobiosis, attenuation of bronchiolar epithelium, edema in the air ways and also in the lumen of alveoli leading to substantial changes in the histoarchitecture of the lung were observed during CN exposure. On the other hand CR caused degenerative changes which disappeared on 30th day.