Abstract
Radioactive aerosol exposure system for small rodents was developed, and its basic characteristics were investigated from the viewpoint of aerosol engineering on inhalation toxicology. The system has three nebulizers which liquid is feeded with syringe pump. Aerosol concentration within the exposure chamber is controlled by changing the speed of liquid feeding, and it is automatically maintained by switching one of nebulizers on the base of aerosol monitoring data from a high sensitivity photometer. Correspondingly, the air pressure and the air flow rate are controlled for keeping constant exposure. For acute exposure, animals are hold in specially designed containers, and only their noses are exposed. During exposure, the container also works as whole-body plethysmograph box and is enable us to measure animal's respiratory function.
