TOXICOKINETICS OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IN THE RAT AFTER INTRATRACHEAL ADMINISTRATION OF CHROMATES OF DIFFERENT SOLUBILITIES

摘要

The kinetics of chromium in the rat after a single intratracheal dose of sodium, zinc or lead51Cr-chromate have been investigated. Sodium chromate and the less soluble zinc chromate were absorbed into the blood and this resulted in increased excretion of chromium into the urine. The insoluble lead chromate was poorly absorbed from the lungs. The more insoluble a chromate was in water, the higher its elimination via the feces. With all three chromates, absorbed chromium was retained in the spleen and the bone marrow. After the administration of sodium chromate, chromium was also retained in the liver and kidneys. On the basis of the minor resorption of lead chromate, it is concluded that chromium levels in blood and urine are not indicative of exposure to insoluble chromates via the inhalatory route.