Animal chamber for in vivo testing of toxic gases

A closed-circuit chamber system for exposing animals to toxic concentrations of oxygen or nitrogen was designed and built. The facility was equipped with systems for the removal of carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane, water vapor, and particulates from the gas stream. Integral systems were built to monitor and control temperature (+/- 1 degree C), relative humidity (+/- 2%), oxygen concentration (10 to 100% +/- 0.5%), and methane concentration (below 2%). Operation was set at standard pressure (1.0 X 10(5) Newtons/m2). Hyperoxic studies have been performed on six species of rodents, as well as sheep, and have lasted from 1 to 28 days.