Comparative Inhalation Study in Rats Using Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Expanded with Chlorofluorocarbon-11 (CFC-11) or Hydrochlorofluorocarbon-123 (HCFC-123)

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the use of an alternate process (using hydrochlorofluorocarbon-123, HCFC-123) for expanding tobacco instead of the standard expansion process (using chlorofluorocarbon-11, CFC-11). Rats were exposed to smoke 1 hr/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks. The effects of smoke exposure, primarily on respiratory physiology and on histopathology of the respiratory tract, were as previously reported in the literature. No novel changes were noted. An independent review was made of the above conclusions, formed by the study pathologist. The conclusions made by the reviewing pathologist agreed with those made by the study pathologist. The data obtained in this inhalation study show that there are no differences between the responses noted in animals exposed to smoke from cigarettes containing tobacco expanded with HCFC-123 or with CFC-11.