Effects of concentration and duration of toluene exposure on Sidman avoidance in rats

Fifteen rats in which responding under the Sidman avoidance schedule had been established were first exposed to air for 4 hr, then randomly to 350, 750 or 1,500 ppm of toluene vapor for 1, 2 or 4 hr, following which the effects on lever pressing behavior were investigated for 80 min after the termination of toluene exposure. The effect of concentration, exposure duration and test period on lever pressing of toluene was revealed clearly in the test. Using the technique adopted in this experiment, one could be determining the minimal effective exposure condition in terms of toluene concentration and exposure duration is 1,500 ppm for 2 hr. These findings suggest the usefulness of this technique in assessing the behavioral toxicity of toluene.