Pathologic effects in rodents exposed to sodium combustion products

Three species of rodents exhibited respiratory distress when exposed to aerosols of sodium combustion products, the major constituent of which was shown to be sodium carbonate. At the higher doses, animals died during or shortly after 2 hr exposures. Lesions, primarily involving the pharynx and larynx, included accumulation of mucus, vesiculation, and mucosal edema. Other lesions included edema and vesiculation of the anterior trachea, hemorrhage in the lungs, and severe gastric tympany. Basal epithelial cells of the posterior pharynx and anterior trachea had enlarged mitochondria following exposures of 1 hr or more.