The Effects of Chronic Exposure to CO-SO2 mixed gases on the Gestation Patterns of the Rats

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is one of the most freqtient cans싫 of accident in the World. tn Korea immessurable number of incidences of to poisoning occur annually due to the uses of the coal briquette as main domestic fue l. Many studies on acute poisoning have been reported by toxicologist, clinician and other specialist concerned. But on chronic poisoning, there has been many controversy on the entity itself. But some reported chronic effect of CO exposure on the pregnancy and neurological changes. Actually high pregnancy wastages was observed by animal experiment. Another major noxious gas contributing to air pollution is Sulfur•dioxide. S0, is a typical irritant gas in contray to asphyxiant nature of CO S0, is also produced during the burning of coal briquette. According to authors previous study, high degree of contamination by CO & S0, was found in kitchen, restaurantand Somf living room in Seoul area. Author designed this study to observe the effe cts of chronic exposure to CO-SO, mixed gases on the gestation patterns of the rats. 134 rats were divided into 3 groups, one for the control, the other for high concentration (CO, 1500 ppm , S0" 10 ppm , ) and the third for low concentration (CO, 750 ppm, S0" 5 ppm groups.) The experimental rats were exposed to CO-SO, mixed gas for 1 hour during 3 weeks gestation period. The findings obtained are as follows 1. High pregnancy wastages were observed both in high & low concentration group, 40.7% & 64.2 % each. 2. Pregnancy rate during gestation period was reduced in accordance with the elapse of gestation period. 3. Lit ter size & body weight were significantly reduced in high concentration group. 4. There is a strong evidence that S0, acts synergistically with the effect of CO inducing pregnan cy wastages of the experimental rats. In summarizing above mentioned results, more extensive studies should be continued to scrutinize the real mechanism of chronic effect of CO-SO, mixed gas. In the most of the large scale urban city throu ghout the world. Air pollution is one of the serious public health problem. Synergistic effects of various pollutants are att racting the Interest of environment scientist. Alii• ong these academic topics, chronic effect of COS0, mixed gas , especially in relation to the pregnancy, should not be overlooked in terms of the appalling results