Erschienen in:
01.09.2007 | Research Article
Concentration-detection functions for eye irritation evoked by homologous n-alcohols and acetates approaching a cut-off point
verfasst von:
J. Enrique Cometto-Muñiz, William S. Cain, Michael H. Abraham, Ricardo Sánchez-Moreno
Erschienen in:
Experimental Brain Research
|
Ausgabe 1/2007
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten
Abstract
We measured the concentration-detection (i.e., psychometric) functions for the eye irritation evoked by three homologous n-alcohols (1-nonanol, 1-decanol and 1-undecanol) and two homologous acetates (nonyl and decyl acetate). A vapor delivery device based on a dynamic dilution of stimuli in nitrogen served to present various concentrations of each compound, including the undiluted vapor, to the subjects (n ≥ 26). Delivered concentrations were quantified by gas chromatography. Detection probability (P) was assessed via a three-alternative, forced-choice procedure and quantified on a scale ranging from P = 0.0 (chance detection) to P = 1.0 (perfect detection). Flow rate to the eye equaled 2.5 l/min and time of exposure was 6 s. The functions for 1-undecanol and decyl acetate plateaued at P ≈ 0.5 and P ≈ 0.25, respectively, such that further increases in concentration failed to increase detection notably. Thus, both series reached a break point, or cut-off, in the detection of ocular irritation. The present outcome provides additional evidence that the cut-off does not rest on the low vapor concentration of the homolog but, more likely, on the homolog exceeding a critical molecular dimension(s), which prevents it from interacting effectively with the appropriate receptors.