Concentrations of Hydrocarbons in Tissues as a Measure of Toxicity

Mice and rats were exposed of vapors of butane, butadiene, isoprene, isobutylene, hexenes, and styrene. The concentrations of hydrocarbons in tissues after exposure were determined by gas liquid chromatography. Lethal concentration (LC50) values for two- and four-hour exposures, and the corresponding LC50 in brain tissues were determined for several hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon concentration found in the brain correlated with the degree of central nervous system depression and narcosis. Mixtures of butane and isobutylene had a potentiating effect in 10 of 12 experiments, and an additive effect in two experiments.