A short-term test to predict acceptable levels of exposure to airborne sensory irritants.

An animal model has been developed using decrease in respiratory rate in mice as an index of sensory irritation. Concentration-response relationships were developed for 11 sensory irritants. The RD50, defined as the concentration associated with a 50% decrease in respiratory rate, has been shown to have a predictable relationship to sensory irritation in man. By extending the accepted toxicological principle that the ratio lethal/toxic/effective/ineffective/acceptable in diet is 10/1/10(-1)/10(-2)/10(-3) dosage units to air concentrations, exposure guidelines can be proposed for TLVs, STELs, etc.