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    Inhalation Toxicology

    Boasting over 35 years of experience, our Inhalation Toxicology Division is a trusted provider of research for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, tobacco and chemical industries. During these years, we have conducted numerous acute, subchronic and chronic studies on a wide range of chemicals and pharmaceuticals for both commerical Sponsors and the National Toxicology Program (NTP).

    In addition to performing routine, guideline-driven inhalation toxicology studies, we specialize in performing reproductive and neurotoxicological studies using the inhalation route of exposure. Our staff also conducts sensory irritation and pulmonary sensitization studies used in occupational exposure assessments. Another area of expertise within the Inhalation Toxicology Division is the capability to monitor pulmonary parameters such as tidal volume and respiration rate. These parameters are particularly important to establish the dosimetry of inhaled drugs and chemicals and to understand their effects on the respiratory system. Studies are conducted in rodents, canines and non-human primates in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), satisfying the regulations and standards of the US EPA (FIFRA or TSCA), US FDA, OECD or EEC.

    The Inhalation Toxicology staff is the hallmark of our capability and expertise. This division is managed by an aerosol physicist (Ph.D.) who is well experienced in developing methods for generating atmospheres with chemicals or drugs having extremely difficult properties that complicate the vaporization or aerosolization process. Our inhalation engineers (Ph.D., M.S. and B.S.), and analytical chemists (Ph.D. and M.S.), who support study directors/toxicologists (Ph.D. and D.A.B.T.) are proficient with atmospheres ranging from simple gases or aerosols to complex mixtures such as smoke atmospheres. Collectively, their expertise is demonstrated in the generation and characterization of well-controlled test atmospheres, which are essential in the correlation of the atmosphere concentrations with the biological effects and, ultimately, in the interpretation of the study results.

    Our inhalation exposure laboratories are well equipped with a wide array of nose-only and whole-body inhalation chambers, canine and non-human primate oronasal inhalation apparatus, test atmosphere generation, and monitoring  systems. The inhalation toxicology facility is approximately 13,000 square feet and is comprised of nine rodent inhalation exposure and animal holding laboratories, two canine and non-human primate inhalation suites, and incorporates a clean/dirty corridor system.

    Study Duration: Acute, Subchronic and Chronic

    Types of Studies:

    • Guideline-Driven Inhalation Toxicology

    • Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology

    • Pulmonary Sensitization

    • Sensory Irritation Assessment

    • Absorption, Disposition, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME) Studies Using Inhalation Route of Exposure

    • Intratracheal Instillation

    • Nasal Dosing

    Types of Test Material:

    • Gas or Vapors

    • Liquid Aerosols

    • Solid Aerosols (Powder or Dust)

    • Test Formulations Supplied in Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)

    • Combustion Aerosols

    • Bioaerosols

    • Radio-Labeled Test Materials

    Monitoring of Test Atmospheres:

    • Mass Concentration of Test Material in the Exposure Test Atmosphere

    • Aerosol Particle Size Distribution

    • Real-time Aerosol/Gas Concentration Measurement

    • Sample Collection for Various Types of Chemical Analyses

    Other Specialized Endpoints:

    • Bronchoalveolar Lavage

    • Neurotoxicology

    • Toxicokinetics

    • Pulmonary Physiological Measurements

    • Tidal Volume

    • Respiratory Rate

    • Compliance