Sodium chlorite

Endpoint summary

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Remarks:

Test method was similar to OECD guideline 417, but only male animals were used. Although the study was not conducted according to the recommended guidelines, it provides scientific valid information to assess the metabolism of the substance. No GLP.

Objective of study:

metabolism

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 417 (Toxicokinetics)

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

(Only male animals were used)

GLP compliance:

no

Radiolabelling:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Weight at study initiation: 50-170 g
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Food was available ad libitum.
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): It was available 20 hours/day

.ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 22 ºC
- Humidity (%): 50 %
- Photoperiod: 12 hrs dark / 12 hrs light

Route of administration:

oral: drinking water

Vehicle:

water

Duration and frequency of treatment / exposure:

20 h/day, 7 days/week, for 12 months.

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:100 mg/L

No. of animals per sex per dose / concentration:

7 male rats per group (two groups)

Control animals:

yes

Details on dosing and sampling:

After one year, rats were killed and blood collected in heparinized tubes. Tissue samples of liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and testes were homogenized in isotonic sucrose medium. Tissue homogenate or blood sample (3 mL) was extracted by 5 mL pentane. The pentane layer was then separated by centrifugation at 1000 g for 5 min. A gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector was used for the quantitation of chloroform in each sample, with bromodichloromethane being used as the internal standard.

Metabolites identified:

yes

Details on metabolites:

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.

Conclusions:

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.

Executive summary:

The formation of chloroform was investigated in two groups of 7 male Sprague-Dawley rats that received 36Cl-labelled sodium chlorite at 100 mg/L in drinking-water for 20 h/day, 7 days/week, for 12 months. After one year, rats were killed and blood collected in heparinized tubes. Tissue samples of liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and testes were homogenized in isotonic sucrose medium. Tissue homogenate or blood sample (3 mL) was extracted by 5 mL pentane. The pentane layer was then separated by centrifugation at 1000 g for 5 min. A gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector was used for the quantitation of chloroform in each sample, with bromodichloromethane being used as the internal standard.

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Although the study was not conducted according to the recommended guidelines, it provides scientific valid information to assess the kinetics of the substance. No GLP.

Objective of study:

distribution

toxicokinetics

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Sodium chlorite was administered by gavage to a group of four male Sprague-Dawley rats at the following dose: 0.15 mg chlorite/kg bw. Heparinized blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hr by orbital sinus puncture. The radioactivity was counted in a liquid scintillation counter (Beckman LS 7500), and the rate constant and T1/2 of absorption and elimination from plasma were calculated. After 72 hr, rats were killed and blood was collected. Tissue specimens of stomach, testes, lung, kidney, duodenum, ileum, spleen, liver, bone marrow, carcass and skin were prepared for the determination of 36-Cl content by liquid scintillation spectrometry.

GLP compliance:

no

Radiolabelling:

yes

Remarks:

36-Cl (0.17 µL)

Species:

rat

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS- Weight at study initiation: 230 ± 20 g

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on exposure:

Volume administered: 3 mL

Duration and frequency of treatment / exposure:

A single administration was given.Observation period: 72 h.

Dose / conc.:

0.15 mg/kg bw (total dose)

No. of animals per sex per dose / concentration:

4 male rats per group.

Control animals:

yes

Details on dosing and sampling:

Heparinized blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hr by orbital sinus puncture. The radioactivity was counted in a liquid scintillation counter (Beckman LS 7500), and the rate constant and T1/2 of absorption and elimination from plasma were calculated.After 72 hr, rats were killed and blood was collected. Tissue specimens of stomach, testes, lung, kidney, duodenum, ileum, spleen, liver, bone marrow, carcass and skin were prepared for the determination of 36-Cl content by liquid scintillation spectrometry.

Details on distribution in tissues:

After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver.In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells.

Key result

Toxicokinetic parameters:

other: T 1/2 absorption: 3.5 ± 1.06 h

Key result

Toxicokinetic parameters:

other: Absorption rate constant: 0.198 ± 0.06/hour

Key result

Toxicokinetic parameters:

other: T 1/2 elimination: 35.2 ± 3.0 h

Metabolites identified:

not measured

The time taken to absorb 50% of the dose for sodium chlorite was 3.5 ± 1.06 h. The absorption rate constant was 0.198 ± 0.06/hour. The time taken to eliminate 50% of the dose from the plasma when detected as 36Cl was 35.2 ± 3.0 h.

After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver. In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells.

Conclusions:

The time taken to absorb 50% of the dose for sodium chlorite was 3.5 ± 1.06 h. The absorption rate constant was 0.198 ± 0.06/hour. The time taken to eliminate 50% of the dose from the plasma when detected as 36Cl was 35.2 ± 3.0 h.After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver. In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells. Results indicate rapid absorption and wide distribution.

Executive summary:

Sodium chlorite was administered by gavage to a group of four male Sprague-Dawley rats at the following dose: 0.15 mg chlorite/kg bw. Heparinized blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hr by orbital sinus puncture. The radioactivity was counted in a liquid scintillation counter (Beckman LS 7500), and the rate constant and T1/2 of absorption and elimination from plasma were calculated. After 72 hr, rats were killed and blood was collected. Tissue specimens of stomach, testes, lung, kidney, duodenum, ileum, spleen, liver, bone marrow, carcass and skin were prepared for the determination of 36-Cl content by liquid scintillation spectrometry.

The time taken to absorb 50% of the dose for sodium chlorite was 3.5 ± 1.06 h. The absorption rate constant was 0.198 ± 0.06/hour. The time taken to eliminate 50% of the dose from the plasma when detected as 36Cl was 35.2 ± 3.0 h.

After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver. In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Although the study was not conducted according to the recommended guidelines, it provides scientific valid information to assess the metabolism and excretion of the substance. No GLP.

Objective of study:

excretion

metabolism

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Sodium chlorite was administered by gavage to a group of four male Sprague-Dawley rats at the following dose: 0.15 mg chlorite/kg bw. Expired air and fecal and urine samples were collected from each animal. The radioactivity of the total 36-Cl compounds was measured. The analysis of radioactive metabolites (chloride, chlorite and chlorate) was performed and measured as a percentage of the initial dose.

GLP compliance:

no

Radiolabelling:

yes

Remarks:

36-Cl (0.17 µL)

Species:

rat

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Weight at study initiation: 230 ± 20 g
- Housing: Animals were housed in modified Roth all-glass metabolism chambers for the collection of expired air and fecal and urine samples.
- Individual metabolism cages: yes

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on exposure:

Volume administered: 3 mL

Duration and frequency of treatment / exposure:

A single administration was given.
Observation period: 72 h.

Dose / conc.:

0.15 mg/kg bw (total dose)

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:0.15 mg/kg bw

No. of animals per sex per dose / concentration:

4 male rats per group.

Control animals:

yes

Details on dosing and sampling:

Expired air and fecal and urine samples were collected from each animal.The radioactivity of the total 36-Cl compounds was measured. The analysis of radioactive metabolites (chloride, chlorite and chlorate) was performed and measured as a percentage of the initial dose.

Details on excretion:

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period.

Metabolites identified:

yes

Details on metabolites:

Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite.

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period.

Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite.

Conclusions:

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period.Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite. The results indicate a low bioaccumulation potential.

Executive summary:

Sodium chlorite was administered by gavage to a group of four male Sprague-Dawley rats at the following dose: 0.15 mg chlorite/kg bw. Expired air and fecal and urine samples were collected from each animal. The radioactivity of the total 36-Cl compounds was measured. The analysis of radioactive metabolites (chloride, chlorite and chlorate) was performed and measured as a percentage of the initial dose.

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period.

Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

dermal absorption in vitro / ex vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 428 (Skin Absorption: In Vitro Method)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Radiolabelling:

no

Species:

other: Human skin and rats

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Human: The skin samples were obtained from human donors (male and female) post-mortem and were supplied by the International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine.
Rat: Male rats; Charles River UK Ltd, Margate, Kent, UK
- Age at study initiation:Human: 52, 60 and 70 years old
- Weight at study initiation:Rat: Bodyweight at sacrifice: 101-109 g;
Estimated age at sacrifice: 29-31 days

Doses:

High dose level: 390 g/L (30.8 %)
Low dose level: 44 g/L (3.5 %)
Seven static diffusion cells were prepared at each dose level.
Volume applied: 10 µL/cm2 exposed skin area (9.5 µL of dose, unoccluded)

No. of animals per group:

Human: dermatomed skin from 3 subjects
Rat: dermatomed skin from 3 rats

Control animals:

yes

Details on in vitro test system (if applicable):

SKIN PREPARATION
Human skin: Prior to use, human skin samples were thawed to room temperature. Each full thickness skin membrane was then swabbed with 70 % v/v ethanol/water to remove residual fat and blood, wiped dry and re-hydrated with distilled water prior to dermatoming.
Rat skin: Each rat was sacrificed by cervical dislocation. After sacrifice, the body was shaved with electric clippers, the skin removed and stored at <-15 ºC. Prior to use, skin samples were thawed to room temperature. The skin was then prepared in the same manner as human skin.Dermatomed skin: The full thickness skin sample was pinned out on a dermatome board (cork board with raised rubber cutting surface) and a mini-dermatome was used to cut slices of skin which contained epidermis and some dermis (dermatomed skin was 200 - 400 μm thick, measured using a digital calliper). Only skin from the dorsal region of the rat was dermatomed.

SIZE OF TEST SITEStatic glass diffusion cells were used providing an exposure area of approximately 0.95 cm2.

EXPOSURE PERIOD
The skin samples were exposed to the test material for 8 hours, after which time the remaining dose was washed off the skin with a mild detergent solution.

SAMPLING TIME
The receptor fluid was taken from each diffusion cell and replenished with fresh receptor fluid (3 mL) at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after dose application. The receptor fluid taken at these times and that removed at the end of the experiment (24 hours) were retained for analysis.

SAMPLES
Receptor fluid samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours after dosing. At the end of the experiment, the skin samples were tape stripped to remove residual surface dose and stratum corneum.

CONTROLS
A sample of fresh 50 % v/v ethanol : water was analysed as the zero hour receptor fluid. Untreated diffusion cells containing skin membranes were also set up to assess background levels of sodium chlorite (control cells) and to provide samples of matrices for the determination of procedural recoveries through the analytical method (procedural recovery cells).

Absorption in different matrices:

HIGH DOSE LEVEL:
Thinning of the epidermis in both human and rat skin samples was observed at 2 hours post dose. The test membranes appeared to have regions of thinning of the skin; these regions were of a circular, bluish appearance. During the swabbing procedure at 8 hours, some disruption of the stratum corneum was observed in all rat skin samples; this disruption was most pronounced in cells 11, 12 and 14 where areas of stratum corneum were removed with the cotton swab. At the end of the experiment (24 hours post dose) all human cells had areas of disrupted epidermis and the stratum corneum of each cell was very thin and dry in appearance. At 24 hours post dose all rat cells showed extensive damage to the stratum corneum with either very little stratum corneum remaining (cells 11, 12 and 14) or fragmentation of the stratum corneum (cells 8, 9, 13 and 16).Following a single application of the high level formulation of sodium chlorite to dermatomed human skin, 9.41 % of the applied dose was recovered in the receptor fluid over the 0 - 24 hour period. The skin swabs taken at 8 hours contained most of the applied dose (42.41 %), with 0.45 % removed in the surface tape strips taken after 24 hours. Tape strips taken to remove the stratum corneum contained 0.29 % of the dose. The remaining skin contained 0.20 % whilst the material remaining on the receptor chamber of the diffusion cell accounted for 0.03 % dose. The material recovered in the skin swabs, surface tape strips and that remaining on the donor chamber of the diffusion cell was considered non-absorbed and accounted for 43.19 % of the applied dose. The overall mean recovery of the dose was 53.12 %.Following a single application of the high level formulation of sodium chlorite to dermatomed rat skin, 67.03 % of the applied dose was recovered in the receptor fluid over the 0 - 24 hour period. The skin swabs taken at 8 hours contained 7.47 % of dose, with 0.01 % removed in the surface tape strips taken after 24 hours. The mean amount of material on the surface tape strips in the tape strips taken to remove the stratum corneum and on the receptor chamber of the diffusion cell was not calculable as greater than 50 % of samples contained levels of sodium chlorite of <0.01 % of the dose. The remaining skin contained 1.03 % of the dose. The material recovered in the skin swabs, surface tape strips and that remaining on the donor chamber of the diffusion cell was considered non-absorbed and accounted for 7.59 % of the applied dose. The overall mean recovery of the dose was 75.71 %.The mean steady-state absorption rates for sodium chlorite at the high dose level were 51.88 µg/cm2/hr and 1182 µg/cm2/hr in human and rat skin, respectively.

LOW DOSE LEVEL:Following application of the low level formulation of sodium chlorite to dermatomed human skin, 3.63 % of the applied dose was recovered in the receptor fluid over the 0 - 24 hour period. The skin swabs taken at 8 hours contained 0.57 % of the dose with a further 4.20 % of the dose removed in the surface tape strips taken at 24 hours. Tape strips taken to remove the stratum corneum contained a mean of 2.74 % of the dose. The remaining skin contained 1.20 % of the dose whilst the material remaining on the receptor chamber of the diffusion cell accounted for 0.08 % dose. The material recovered in the skin swabs, surface tape strips and that remaining on the donor chamber of the diffusion cell was considered to be non-absorbed and accounted for 11.05 % of the applied dose. The overall mean recovery of the dose was 18.70 %.Following a single application of the low level formulation of sodium chlorite to dermatomed rat skin, 18.18 % of the applied dose was recovered in the receptor fluid over the 0 - 24 hour period. The skin swabs taken at 8 hours contained 1.06 % of the dose, with a further 0.05 % removed in the surface tape strips taken after 24 hours. Tape strips taken to remove the stratum corneum contained 0.31 % of the dose, whilst the remaining skin contained 0.33 % of the dose. Material remaining in the receptor chamber of the diffusion cell accounted for 0.06 % dose. The material recovered in the skin swabs, surface tape strips and that remaining on the donor chamber of the diffusion cell was considered non-absorbed and accounted for 1.35 % of the applied dose. The overall mean recovery of the dose was 20.23 %.The mean steady-state absorption rates for sodium chlorite at the low dose level were 1.48 µg/cm2/hr and 21.02 µg/cm2/hr in human and rat skin, respectively.The distribution of sodium chlorite following the application of sodium chlorite to dermatomed human and rat skin is summarised in Tables 1 and 2.

OTHER EFFECTS:Following the application of the high dose sodium chlorite solution (390 g/L) to human and rat skin in vitro, membrane damage was noted during the course of the first sampling time point (2 hours). The test membranes appeared to have regions of thinning of the skin; these regions were of a circular, bluish appearance. No disruption of the stratum corneum was noted up to swabbing at 8 hours. At this point some rat skin cells had areas of stratum corneum that were inadvertently removed during this process with the remaining rat cells less affected but still showing some degree of disruption.Upon termination of the experiment, the extent of this damage was more pronounced in the rat skin than in human skin. The severity of this damage ranged from complete disruption of the stratum corneum observed in most of the rat skins to a ‘thinning’ of the stratum corneum and the partial disruption of the underlying epidermis in the human skin.

Key result

Dose:

390 g/L

Parameter:

percentage

Absorption:

9.7 %

Remarks on result:

other: Maximum proportion of the high dose that is absorbed through human skin.

Key result

Dose:

44 g/L

Parameter:

percentage

Absorption:

5.1 %

Remarks on result:

other: Maximum proportion of the low dose that is absorbed through human skin.

Table 1   Distribution of sodium chlorite following application of the high dose solution (390 g/L) to dermatomed human and rat skin

The results are expressed as both percent applied dose and µg of sodium chlorite. The normalized results have been adjusted for method recoveries and include the proportion of dose that was degraded.

Skin type		% dose actual recoveries^a		% dose normalised recoveries^*
-		Human	Rat	Human	Rat
TOTAL NON-ABSORBED	-	-	-	-	-
Skin surface (skin swabs + surface tape strips)	%	42.86	7.47	42.16	7.32
-	µg	1656	288.4	1628	282.9
Remaining on cell (donor chamber)	%	0.32	nc	0.32	nc
-	µg	12.52	-	12.52	-
Sub-total	%	43.19	7.59	42.49	7.32
-	µg	1667	292.8	1641	287.3
TOTAL ABSORBED	-	-	-	-	-
Receptor fluid	%	9.41	67.03	9.41	73.66
-	µg	363.3	2587	363.3	2843
Skin	%	0.20	1.03	0.22	1.18
-	µg	7.88	39.75	8.85	45.69
Remaining on cell (receptor chamber)	%	0.03	nc*	0.03	nc*
-	µg	1.03	1.83	1.03	1.83
Sub-total	%	9.64	68.11	9.66	74.84
-	µg	372.2	2629	373.2	2890
Stratum corneum	%	0.29	nc*	0.38	nc*
Degradation products	%	-	-	47.47	17.84
TOTAL RECOVERY	%	53.12	75.71	100.00	100.00
Absorption rate	µg equiv./cm^2/hr	51.88	1182	51.88	1299

^a Values quoted are the mean values of individual recoveries and not the sum of the individual components

^* Corrected for sample matrix procedural recoveries.

nc Not calculable (>=50 % of samples were nd or less than the limit of detection)

nc* Not calculable (>=50 % of samples contained <0.01 % of dose)

Table 2   Distribution of sodium chlorite following application of the low dose solution (44 g/L) to dermatomed human and rat skin

The results are expressed as both percent applied dose and µg of sodium chlorite. The normalized results have been adjusted for method recoveries and include the proportion of dose that was degraded.

Skin type		% dose actual recoveries^a		% dose normalised recoveries^*
-		Human	Rat	Human	Rat
TOTAL NON-ABSORBED	-	-	-	-	-
Skin surface (skin swabs + surface tape strips)	%	4.77	1.11	6.01	1.10
-	µg	15.94	3.74	20.09	3.72
Remaining on cell (donor chamber)	%	6.28	0.24	6.28	0.24
-	µg	20.98	0.79	20.98	0.79
Sub-total	%	11.05	1.35	12.29	1.34
-	µg	36.91	4.52	41.07	4.51
TOTAL ABSORBED	-	-	-	-	-
Receptor fluid	%	3.63	18.18	3.63	19.98
-	µg	12.13	60.71	12.13	66.71
Skin	%	1.20	0.33	1.35	0.38
-	µg	4.00	1.09	4.49	1.25
Remaining on cell (receptor chamber)	%	0.08	0.06	0.08	0.06
-	µg	0.26	0.19	0.26	0.19
Sub-total	%	4.91	18.56	5.06	20.42
-	µg	16.39	61.99	16.88	68.15
Stratum corneum	%	2.74	0.31	11.90	0.40
Degradation products	%	-	-	70.75	77.84
TOTAL RECOVERY	%	18.70	20.23	100.00	100.00
Absorption rate	µg equiv./cm^2/hr	1.48	21.02	1.48	23.10

^a Values quoted are the mean values of individual recoveries and not the sum of the individual components

^* Corrected for sample matrix procedural recoveries.

Conclusions:

Visual examination of the integrity of the skin samples post application of the high dose revealed that the membrane had been disrupted/damaged post dosing. There was a greater degree of membrane damage to the rat skin as opposed human skin. As such, the absorption rates and total absorbed data for the high dose are likely to be overestimates due to the membranes being compromised by the corrosive nature of the high concentration test material.Where possible, it is preferable to use a radiolabelled test material (usually carbon-14) for the conduct of in vitro skin absorption studies. Using a radiolabelled test material means that full mass balances are more easily achievable as any degradation products of the test material that still contain the radiolabel will also be quantified. As the test material for this study, sodium chlorite, does not contain any carbon it was not possible to take this approach. As such, analytical methodology was validated for the determination of sodium chlorite in the various sample types generated from this experiment. The mean recoveries for the receptor fluid and swabs were >90 %, the skin >87 % and the tape strips 77 %. Although some of the mean method recoveries were less than 90 %, these particular sample types actually contained the lower proportions of dose in the experimental results. As such, the low mass balance recoveries achieved are considered to be due to the degradation of the test material to chloride ions that were not quantifiable rather than incomplete method recoveries. As such, the proportions of sodium chlorite absorbed are considered to be valid even though a traditional mass balance of the sodium chlorite dosed was not observed.The absorption rates and total absorbed data are likely to be overestimates due to the skin membranes being compromised by the corrosive nature of a high concentration of the test material. From the above data is it proposed that the maximum proportion of high dose that is absorbed through human skin is 9.66 %.There was a considerable difference in the distribution of dose between human and rat skin membranes, with approximately a 7-fold greater proportion of dose absorbed through rat skin. The greater damage observed to the rat skin membranes by the test material may have contributed to the higher absorption results obtained with the rat skin.From the results obtained with the low dose solution of sodium chlorite (44 g/L) the maximum proportion of low dose that is absorbed through human skin is 5.06 %.There was a considerable difference in the distribution of dose between human and rat skin membranes, with approximately a 5-fold greater proportion of dose absorbed through rat skin. The proportion of dose that was degraded over the 24-hour exposure period was approximately 80 % for both the rat and human skin groups.

Executive summary:

The aim of the test was the determination of the dermal absorption of the test material.

The test procedure was OECD Guideline 428 (Skin Absorption: In Vitro Method).

The result was as follows:

Maximum proportion of the high dose that is absorbed through human skin: 9.7%

Maximum proportion of the low dose that is absorbed through human skin: 5.1 %

Description of key information

Key studies:

Publications.

The time taken to absorb 50% of the dose for sodium chlorite was 3.5 ± 1.06 h. The absorption rate constant was 0.198 ± 0.06/hour. The time taken to eliminate 50% of the dose from the plasma when detected as 36Cl was 35.2 ± 3.0 h. After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver. In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells.

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period. Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite.

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.

Additional information

Key studies:

Publications.

The time taken to absorb 50% of the dose for sodium chlorite was 3.5 ± 1.06 h. The absorption rate constant was 0.198 ± 0.06/hour. The time taken to eliminate 50% of the dose from the plasma when detected as 36Cl was 35.2 ± 3.0 h. After 72 h, radioactivity from chlorite was found at the highest level in the plasma, followed by stomach, testes, skin, lung, duodenum, kidney, carcass, spleen, ileum, bone marrow and liver. In blood, chlorite levels were distributed evenly between plasma and packed cells.

For sodium chlorite, 87 and 13% of initial dose (36 -Cl) was found in urine and feces, respectively. 36-Cl was not detected in expired air throughout the 72 h time period. Chloride, chlorite and chlorate were found in rat urine 72 hours after the administration. The major metabolite was chloride, representing 31.6% of the initial dose of chlorite.

The administration of test substance elevated chloroform levels in the liver and brain but not in the blood.