Nasal lesions in rats exposed to hydrogen sulfide for four hours

Fischer-344 rats were exposed for 4 hours to 0, 14, 280, or 560 mg of hydrogen sulfide .cntdot. m-3 and killed 1, 18, or 44 hours later. We evaluated the nasal epithelial cells and determined the antaomic distribution of lesions. Inhalation of 560 mg of hydrogen sulfide .cntdot. m-3 induced necrosis and exfoliation of respiratory and olfactory mucosal cells, but not squamous epithelial cells. The anatomic distribution of lesions was midway along the nasal passages involving nasal and maxillary conchae, but not ethmoidal conchae. Injured respiratory mucosa repaired rapidly, whereas olfactory mucosa continued to exfoliate at 44 hours after exposure.