Modeling of Toxicological Effects of Fire Gases: V. Mathematical Modeling of Intoxication of Rats By Combined Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide Atmospheres

Mathematical modeling methods for the intoxication of rats by carbon mon oxide and hydrogen cyanide are extended to accommodate combined at mospheres of these fire gas toxicants. Predictions using the Fractional Effective Dose model for both incapacitation and lethality show no significant differences from animal bioassay data. Use of the model is suggested as a potential substitute for live animal testing for the toxicity of smoke produced from burning materials. The model is further shown to have potential utility in the assessment of toxic hazard tenability limits using analytical data from full-scale fires.