Inhalation hazard test. Interlaboratory trial with OECD method 403.

Six industrial laboratories validated the Inhalation Hazard Test (OECD Method 403) using eight volatile chemicals. The test gave similar results in all laboratories, despite variation in inhalation exposure systems and strain of rat used. Detailed atmosphere analyses are not necessary, since nominal atmosphere concentrations were close to the analysed values. The method gives reproducible results directly applicable to hazard evaluation, and is quicker and cheaper and uses fewer animals than the conventional LC50 test.