Acute and subacute inhalation toxicity of diborane in male ICR mice

Respiratory Safety Evaluation in Mice and Inhibition of Adenoviral Amplification in Human Bronchial Endothelial Cells Using a Novel Type of Chlorine Dioxide Gas Reactor

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing demand for effective and safe disinfectants. A novel use of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas, which can satisfy such demand, has been reported. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. For the safe use of this gas, the stable release of specific concentrations is a must. A new type of ClO2 generator called Dr.CLOTM has recently been introduced. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the effects of Dr.CLOTM on inhibiting adenoviral amplification on human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells; and (2) the acute inhalation safety of using Dr.CLOTM in animal models. After infecting HBE cells with a recombinant adenovirus, the inhibitory power of Dr.CLOTM on the virus was expressed as IFU/mL in comparison with the control group. The safety of ClO2 gas was indirectly predicted using mice by measuring single-dose inhalation toxicity in specially designed chambers. Dr.CLOTM was found to evaporate in a very constant concentration range at 0-0.011 ppm/m3 for 42 days. In addition, 36-100% of adenoviral amplification was suppressed by Dr.CLOTM, depending on the conditions. The LC50 of ClO2 gas to mice was approximately 68 ppm for males and 141 ppm for females. Histopathological evaluation showed that the lungs of female mice were more resistant to the toxicity from higher ClO2 gas concentrations than those of male mice. Taken together, these results indicate that Dr.CLOTM can be used to provide a safe indoor environment due to its technology that maintains the stable concentration and release of ClO2 gas, which could suppress viral amplification and may prevent viral infections.

Inhalation toxicity of diborane in rats assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage examination

Changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood were examined to assess the toxic effects of diborane (B2H6, CAS: 19287-45-7) on the lung. Male Wistar rats were exposed to diborane at 20 ppm (intended concentration) for 4 h (phase I study) to evaluate time-course changes up to 14 days, and at 10 or 1 ppm (intended concentrations) to assess the dose-effect relationship after 3 days (phase II study). BALF parameters [leukocyte counts, alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total protein, phospholipids etc.] were examined and biochemical and histopathological studies were also carried out. In the phase I study, neutrophils (%) in BALF increased on the day of exposure and then decreased gradually for 3 days. Rapid and marked increases in alpha 1-AT and SOD activity in BALF were detected on the day of exposure, and phospholipids had sharply increased on day 3. After 14 days, these parameters in the exposed rats had returned to their background level and alpha 1-AT decreased significantly. In the phase II study, total protein, alpha 1-AT activity and phospholipids in BALF showed dose-dependent increases, and serum alpha 1-AT activity increased significantly. Alveolar capillary and alveolar cell damage were confirmed in rats exposed to 20 ppm, 10 ppm or 1 ppm diborane for 4 h by evaluating the parameters examined. The protection system appeared to start operating immediately after exposure, and the recovery mechanism seemed to start operating 1 day after exposure and cease by day 14. The no-observed-effect level could not be observed.