Test chambers ranking

Twenty trials were performed in each experiment (Experiment 1 male vs. female Experiment 2 gravid vs. non-gravid). There was no significant difference in the mean time spent in either stimulus area for the test males (Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test Experiment 1 T=1.122, P=0.262 Experiment 2 T=0.934, P=. 350). Also, no significant differences were found for the frequency observed in either side of the test chamber for the entire 10 minute period or for first choice by test males. 

The cone calorimeter,71 which is a dynamic flow-through fire test, can also be used to assess smoke obscuration. The rankings tend to be quite different from those found with the static smoke chamber and are much more realistic. Several empirical parameters have been proposed to make this compensation for incomplete sample consumption, including one called the smoke factor (SmkFct), determined in small-scale RHR calorimeters.188 It combines the two aspects mentioned earlier the light obscuration (as the total smoke released) and the peak RHR. 

Formaldehyde (CH2O) release was measured for seven types of consumer products pressed wood, urea formaldehyde foam materials, clothes, insulation, paper, fabric, and carpet. A modified Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) desiccator test was used to measure release rate coefficients and to rank 53 products. Ten pressed wood products and five urea formaldehyde foam products showed the highest CH2O releases (1-34 mg m 2.day"b The remainder, representing all product types, had lower releases ranging from 680 yg m 2.day to nondetectable levels. In other studies, CH2O release was measured in a ventilated chamber for single samples of particle board, plywood, insulation, and carpet. 

Rank from testing under Duhring Chambers using 25% shampoo solutions. Spearman s rank correlation test provides a correlation coefficient of 1.0 and a Z value of 2.0, indicating a significant relationship between in vivo irritation and calculated ranks. 

The dermatological findings in the arm flex wash test show the same ranking as in the modified Duhring Chamber Test where mixed systems of standard alkyl ether sulfate and alkyl polyglycosides or amphoteric co-surfactants are investigated. However, the arm flex wash test allows better differentiation of the effects. Formation of erythema and squamation can be reduced by 20% to 30% if -25% of SLES is replaced by alkyl polyglycoside (Fig. 40). 

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