WHOLE-BODY EXPOSURES TO A PHOSPHORIC-ACIDS AEROSOL .2. FOOD WATER WEIGHT EFFECTS IN WILD RODENT AND AVIAN SPECIES

Separate inhalation-chamber studies were conducted to assess acute/sub acute food intake (g), water intake (ml), and body weight (g) effects of four whole-body phosphoric-acids-aerosol exposures in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus); subacute effects of two exposures were studied in rock doves (Columba livia). A 95% red phosphorus/5% b utyl rubber (RP/BR) mixture was burned to produce the aerosol. Each st udy involved (1) 3 RPIBR target concentration groups (0.0, 1.0, and 4. 0 mg/L), (2) 24 prairie dogs or doves (8/group), with gender included as a factor in each study, and (3) a successive 3-phase paradigm (2 d preexposure; 4 and 2 d of approximately 80 min/d exposures to RPIBR fo r prairie dogs and rock doves, respectively; and 6 d postexposure). Re sults showed that in-chamber atmospheres were uniform and acceptable f or all exposures. No prairie dogs died, but 1 male rock dove died on d 3 postexposure to 4.0 mg/L aerosol. Concentration and gender main eff ects were significant for the acute (2 h out-of-chamber) food intake, water intake, and weight change of prairie dogs, with aerosol-exposed and male rodents showing decrements. Gender and day main effects were also significant for the subacute (23 h/d) variables in prairie dogs; females weighed less than males, and reduced food/water/weight was evi dent for all animals during the 4 exposure days and first 3 postexposu re days. For rock doves, subacute gender and day main effects, plus co ncentration x day and concentration x gender x day interactions, chara cterized the data. A transitive relationship was evident among RP/BR a erosol conditions (0.0 < 1.0 < 4.0 mg/L) and mean decreased food intak es on the exposure days (d2 < d1). Enhanced postexposure water repleni shment by female versus male doves exposed to 4.0 mg/L RP/BR aerosol w as a main finding. Results are explained based upon a temporal model o f phosphoric acid caused ulcers/edema. Effects are compared to prior e vidence for albino rats, prairie dogs and rock doves; these are also d iscussed relative to certain human health and ecotoxicological literat ure.