Effect of trichloroethylene on cilia activity in rabbit trachea

The ciliotoxicity of trichloroethylene was studied in terms of the time required for ciliostasis in specimens of trachea from 35 male rabbits following exposure of the specimens to different vapour concentrations. The highest vapour concentration was linked with the most rapid ciliostasis but even in the lowest concentration tested, 5.000 p.p.m. (26 g/m3), hastened ciliostasis. Specimens from the upper region of the trachea underwent ciliostasis more slowly than did those from the lower region. The absolute uptake of trichloroethylene was lower in the former than in the latter specimen. The difference in uptake could not be explained by a difference in weight or in lipid content. That ciliostasis occurred at different times depending upon the region of the trachea, favours the theory of a critical tissue concentration for trichloroethylene.