SHORT-TERM INHALATION EXPOSURE TO BROMOTRIFLUOROMETHANE

Exposure of dogs and monkeys to 10-80% bromotrifluoromethane (CBrF3) caused cardiovascular and central nervous system effects which increased in severity with increasing CBrF3 concentration. An initial fall in mean arterial blood pressure of 10-20 mm Hg at the lower CBrF3 concentrations and 40-60 mm Hg at the higher CBrF3 concentrations was observed. Most animals developed spontaneous cardiac arrhythmias within 1-3 min of exposure to 40% or more CBrF3. Arrhythmias could be produced in those animals not developing arrhythmias spontaneously by the intravenous injection of a pressor dose of epinephrine. Larger doses of epinephrine (5-10 μg/kg) caused ventricular fibrillation with cardiac arrest in dogs and, commonly, spontaneous defibrillation in monkeys. Epileptiform convulsions were seen in about 50% of the dogs exposed to 50-80% CBrF3 while conscious. Conscious monkeys, on the other hand, became lethargic, and no convulsions were seen. © 1969.