The kinetics of chlorite and chlorate in rats.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is under consideration as an alternative to chlorination as a disinfectant for public water supplies. The primary products resulting from ClO2 disinfection of surface waters are chlorite (ClO2-) and chlorates (ClO3-). The kinetics of 36ClO2- and 36ClO3- was studied in rats. Radioactivity was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following the administration of (0.17 microCi) 36ClO2- or (0.85 microCi) 36ClO3- orally; and 36Cl in plasma reached a peak at 2 hr and 1 hr, respectively. After 72 hr, radioactivity was highest in whole blood, followed by packed cells, plasma, stomach, testes, skin, lung, kidney, duodenum, carcass, spleen, ileum, brain, bone marrow and liver in 36ClO2- treatment. 36Cl excretion was greatest at 24 hr after the administration of 36ClO3-, but in the 36ClO2-, the excretion most likely represented saturation of the biotransformation and excretion pathways. About 40% of the total initial dose was excreted at 72 hr in the urine and feces in both treatments. No 36Cl was detected in expired air throughout the 72 hr studied.