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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

A large hemispherical chamber for fire toxicity tests

The paper describes an 84-liter chamber for fire toxicity tests consisting of an upper hemispherical dome section with a diameter of 533 mm, made of clear polymethyl methacrylate and a lower cylindrical base section 190 mm deep, made of cast aluminum. The chamber is designed to expose 36 mice, 8 rats, 4 rabbits or combinations of smaller numbers of two or three species simultaneously to the gaseous products of pyrolysis or combustion. The chamber does not appear to be suitable for screening purposes because its large size introduces operating costs and problems which reduce its cost effectiveness.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A technique for extracting blood samples from mice in fire toxicity tests

The extraction of adequate blood samples from moribund and dead mice has been a problem because of the small quantity of blood in each animal and the short time available between the animals' death and coagulation of the blood. These difficulties are particularly critical in fire toxicity tests because removal of the test animals while observing proper safety precautions for personnel is time-consuming. Techniques for extracting blood samples from mice were evaluated, and a technique was developed to obtain up to 0.8 ml of blood from a single mouse after death. The technique involves rapid exposure and cutting of the posterior vena cava and accumulation of blood in the peritoneal space. Blood samples of 0.5 ml or more from individual mice have been consistently obtained as much as 16 minutes after apparent death. Results of carboxyhemoglobin analyses of blood appeared reproducible and consistent with carbon monoxide concentrations in the exposure chamber.

Bucci, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Some possible reference materials for fire toxicity tests

Suitable reference materials need to be selected in order to standardize any test method. The evaluation of cotton, polyethylene, polyether sulfone, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polyurethane flexible and rigid foams as possible reference materials for the University of San Francisco/NASA toxicity screening test method is discussed.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Studies with the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method - Exercise wheels and oxygen replenishment

Continuing efforts to improve the University of San Francisco/NASA toxicity screening test method have included the addition of exercise wheels to provide a different measure of incapacitation, and oxygen replenishment to offset any effect of oxygen depletion by the test animals. The addition of exercise wheels limited the number of animals in each test and doubled the required number of tests without any significant improvement in reproducibility. Oxygen replenishment appears to have an effect on survival in the last 5 minutes of the 30-minute test, but the effect is expected to be similar for most materials.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The use of a behavioral response system in the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method

Relative toxicity data on the pyrolysis effluents from bisphenol A polycarbonate and wool fabric were obtained, based on visual observations of the behavior of free-moving mice and on an avoidance response behavioral paradigm of restrained rats monitored by an instrumented behavioral system. The initial experiments show an essentially 1:1 correlation between the two systems with regard to first signs of incapacitation, collapse, and death from pyrolysis effluents from polycarbonate. It is hypothesized that similarly good correlations between these two systems might exist for other materials exhibiting predominantly carbon monoxide mechanisms of intoxication. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed, however, by additional experiments. Data with wool fabric exhibited greater variability with both procedures, indicating possibly different mechanisms of intoxication for wool as compared with bisphenol A polycarbonate.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Fire resistivity and toxicity studies of candidate aircraft passenger seat materials

Fire resistivity studies were conducted on a wide range of candidate nonmetallic materials being considered for the construction of improved fire resistant aircraft passenger seats. These materials were evaluated on the basis of FAA airworthiness burn and smoke generation tests, colorfastness, limiting oxygen index, and animal toxicity tests. Physical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties were also assessed. Candidate seat materials that have significantly improved thermal response to various thermal loads corresponding to reasonable fire threats as they relate to in-flight fire situations, are identified.

Fewell, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Studies with the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method - Oxygen concentrations with various test conditions

Continuing efforts to increase the versatility of the USF/NASA toxicity screening test method have included the use of different test conditions in order to simulate various fire environments. The use of air flow at flow rates of 16 to 48 ml/sec maintains oxygen concentrations above 19 percent throughout the 30 min exposure period, compared to above 16 percent without forced air flow. These levels of oxygen are well within the tolerance range of mice, and approach the oxygen levels found in many real fire situations. Proposed minimum oxygen levels based on experience with rats are unduly restrictive on the use of other species such as mice, and tend to eliminate the cost savings which may more than justify the selection of mice.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Reproducibility of toxicity test data as a function of mouse strain, animal lot, and operator

The toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco was evaluated for reproducibility. The variables addressed were strain of mouse, lot of animals, and operator. There was a significant difference in response between Swiss Webster mice and ICR mice, with the latter exhibiting greater resistance. These two strains of mice are not interchangeable in this procedure. Variation between individual animals was significant and unavoidable. In view of this variation, between-lot and between-operator variations appear to have no practical significance. The significant variation between individual animals stresses the need for average values based on at least four animals, and preferably values based on at least two experiments and eight animals. Efforts to compare materials should be based on the evaluation of relatively simple responses using substantial numbers of animals, rather than on elaborate evaluation of single animals

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Screening materials for relative toxicity in fire situations

Results of screening tests of materials for relative toxicity under specific sets of conditions are presented. Variations in the material, in lab animals, and in the test presently permit identification of major rather than minor differences among materials. Correlation with relative performance in real fire situations is based on a limited number of comparisons.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Relative toxicity of the pyrolysis products from some thermoplastic and thermoset polymers

Relative toxicity data on the pyrolysis products of a variety of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are presented. The data are presented in terms of time to incapacitation and time to death with a fixed sample weight of 1.0 g, and in terms of the apparent lethal concentration required to produce 50 percent mortality within a fixed exposure period of 30 min.

Kourtides, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effect of foam age on toxicity of pyrolysis gases from polyurethane flexible foams

The toxicity of the pyrolysis gases from some samples of polyurethane flexible foams appears to have decreased with age, while other samples seem to exhibit no significant change with age in this respect. The changes observed were greater than could be accounted for by variations in the material, or test variations or artifacts.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Fire resistivity and toxicity studies of candidate aircraft passenger seat materials

This paper describes fire resistivity studies of a wide range of candidate nonmetallic materials for the construction of improved fire resistant aircraft passenger seats. These materials were evaluated on the basis of FAA airworthiness burn and smoke generation tests, colorfastness, and animal toxicity tests. Physical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties were also included in the evaluations. Candidate seat materials that have significantly improved thermal response to various thermal loads corresponding to reasonable fire threats, as they relate to in-fight fire situations, are identified.

Fewell, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Statistical studies of animal response data from USF toxicity screening test method

Statistical examination of animal response data obtained using Procedure B of the USF toxicity screening test method indicates that the data deviate only slightly from a normal or Gaussian distribution. This slight departure from normality is not expected to invalidate conclusions based on theoretical statistics. Comparison of times to staggering, convulsions, collapse, and death as endpoints shows that time to death appears to be the most reliable endpoint because it offers the lowest probability of missed observations and premature judgements.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Relative toxicity of pyrolysis gases from materials - Effects of chemical composition and test conditions

Relative toxicity test data on 270 materials are presented, based on test procedures developed at the University of San Francisco. The effects of chemical composition, using data on 13 types of synthetic polymers and eight types of fabrics, are discussed. Selected materials were evaluated using nine test conditions with the USF method, and using methods developed at the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Douglas Aircraft Company and San Jose State University.

Hilado, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Less-toxic corrosion inhibitors

Combinations of borates, nitrates, phosphates, silicates, and sodium MBT protect aluminum from corrosion in fresh water. Most effective combinations contained sodium phosphate and were alkaline. These inhibitors replace toxic chromates which are subject to governmental restrictions, but must be used in larger quantities. Experimental exposure times varied from 1 to 14 months depending upon nature of submersion solution.

Humphries, T. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Relative toxicity testing of spacecraft materials. 1: Spacecraft materials

In chamber thermodegradation procedures were used to access the lethality to rats of the pyrolysis/combustion products of three foams, an adhesive backed metallic tape and RTV silicone rubber adhesive sealant used in spacecraft construction. The role of carbon monoxide in the overall pyrolysate toxicity was also investigated. Post exposure observation of the rats, histological evaluation of selected organs, carbon monoxide concentration in the chamber atmosphere during exposure and the percent carboxyhemoglobin in the animals expiring in the chamber are discussed. Thermogravimetric analysis and dosage response results are given. The lethal effect of the RTV silicon appears to be due to physical obstruction of the respiratory system by particulate matter from pyrolysis.

Lawrence, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Relative toxicity testing of spacecraft materials. 2: Aircraft materials

The relative toxicity of thermodegradation (pyrolysis/combustion) products of aircraft materials was studied. Two approaches were taken to assess the biological activity of the pyrolysis/combustion products of these materials: (1) determine the acute lethality to rats from inhalation of these pyrolysates and (2) examine the tendency for sublethal exposure to the pyrolysates to disrupt behavioral (shock avoidance) performance of exposed rats. The ralative importance of lethality vs. behavioral effects in selection of a material may be dictated by whether or not individuals potentially exposed to such products, would have an opportunity to escape if they were behaviorally capable of doing so. If so, the second parameter would assume greater importance, but if not the first parameter may be of much greater importance in selecting materials.

Lawrence, W. H.↗