Toxic Hazards Research Unit annual technical report: 1968. AMRL-TR-68-133.

Abstract

The activities of the Toxic Hazards Research Unit (THRU) for the period of September 1967 through May 1968 are reviewed in this report. The experimental research program was partially curtailed during the first half of this period while major modifications to the Thomas Domes of the Altitude Facility were being completed. The dome modifications, primarily for improved fire safety protection, were required to be complete before experimentation in oxygen enriched environments could be resumed. Additional facilities for toxicity screening of space cabin materials were placed in service and the evaluation of materials has been continued with little evidence of toxicity exhibited by their gas-off products. One cabin material, carboxy nitroso rubber (CNR), did exhibit toxic manifestations and its acute toxic effects were investigated in depth. The CNR pyrolysis products formed at 300 C were found to be highly toxic and any human exposure to these products should be guarded against. Acute toxicity experiments on monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen trifluoride, including MMH emergency tolerance limits studies were conducted in the Ambient Facilities of the THRU. Investigations on the use of sham exposed dome controls and techniques for determining organ to body weight ratios are reported. TRI-SERVICE TOXICOLOGY iii CONSORTIUM LIBRARY WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OH