We studied survival, weight, and morphological changes in adult rats breathing oxygen at 360 torr and 505 torr up to 23 weeks. Of 24 rats breathing 360 torr oxygen, none died. Of 23 animals exposed to 505 torr oxygen, 3 died-2 after 3 weeks and 1 after 5 weeks. Animals breathing 360 torr oxygen gained weight slowly, while rats exposed to 505 torr oxygen initially lost weight. No histologic evidence of acute or chronic pulmonary oxygen toxicity was seen in rats exposed to 360 torr oxygen for 23 weeks. Lungs of survivors that breathed 505 torr oxygen for 17 weeks exhibited morphologic changes of mild chronic pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Lungs of the 3 animals dying in 505 torr oxygen showed histologic changes of acute pulmonary oxygen toxicity. 505 torr oxygen was lethal for sensitive rats and morbid for others.
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