Effects of subchronically inhaled carbon black in three species. I. Retention kinetics, lung inflammation and histopathology

Exposure to high concentrations of carbon black (Cb) produces lung tumors in rats, but not mice or hamsters, presumably due to secondary genotoxic mechanisms involving persistent lung inflammation and injury. We hypothesized that the lung in-flammation and injury induced by subchronic inhalation of Cb are more pronounced in rats than in mice and hamsters. Particle retention kinetics, inflammation, and histopathology were exam-ined in female rats, mice, and hamsters exposed for 13 weeks to high surface area Cb (HSCb) at doses chosen to span a no observable adverse effects level (NOAEL) to particle overload (0, 1, 7, 50 mg/m3, nominal concentrations). Rats were also exposed to low surface area Cb (50 mg/m3, nominal; LSCb). Retention and effects measurements were performed immediately after exposure and 3 and 11 months post-exposure; retention was also evaluated after 5 weeks of exposure. Significant decreases in body weigh