A Study of blood gases (PO2, PCO2, HCO3-) changes after long exposure to formaldehyde vapor on the respiratory system of rabbits

Abstract

This study was planned to reveal the changes in blood gases after long exposure to formaldehyde vapor on the respiratory system of rabbits. Treated animals were housed in closed room and exposed to formaldehyde fume using 10% formalin solution for a period of six months. Exposure was twenty-three hours for the whole period of experiment, and one hour a day was left for ventilation. Control group was exposed to distilled water humidity. There were significant differences between PO2, PCO2 (Partial Pressure) and HCO3- in addition to pH, hemoglobin, packed cell volume and reticulocyte counts.