Abstract
The uptake and the tissue distribution of ethylmercuric chloride (EMC) by inhalation and oral administration were studied in adult female rats. The pulmonary uptake of EMC linearly increases with the time of exposure and is proportional to the concentration of EMC vapor. With the exception of stomach, intestine, and hair, the tissue distribution of203Hg from pulmonary uptake is quite similar to that from oral administration. The biological halflife of EMC in the organs is longer from pulmonary uptake than from oral administration. Kidney and liver convert EMC to in-organic mercury irrespective of the routes of administration. A small amount of203Hg is found in the fetus, and the fetal liver accumulates more203Hg than the fetal kidney.
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Technical Paper No. 3496, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Corvallis, Oregon.
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Fang, S.C., Fallin, E. Uptake, distribution, and metabolism of inhaled ethylmercuric chloride in the rat. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 1, 347–361 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01985435
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01985435