Acute Toxic Effects of Two Grades of Diesel Fuel Oil on Rat Lungs

Abstract

A total of seventy (70) Albino Wister rats of both sexes with an average weight of 200g were used for the study. Single varying doses of two grades of diesel fuel oil were injected intra-peritoneally to determine (a) the LD₅₀ and (b) the toxic pulmonary effects. Results show the LD₅₀ for pure diesel oil to be 37.18g/kg and that for adulterated diesel oil to be 36.98g/kg. Results show a dose dependent effect on the breathing pattern with breathlessness increasing in severity with increasing doses. Histopathologic examination of the lungs show a dose dependent thickening of the alveolar septa due to edema, inflammatory cell infiltrates. In those animals subjected to very high doses of diesel oil, there is evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and disruption of the alveolar septa walls.