Preliminary studies on the toxicity and metabolism of palladium and platinum.

Preliminary data are given on the LD50 of PdCl2 following different routes of exposure and on the LD50 of PtCl4 following intravenous exposure. The retention, tissue distribution, and excretion of 103Pd and 191Pt in rats was determined following oral, intravenous, intratracheal, and inhalation exposure. The highest retention for both 103Pd and 191Pt was obtained following intravenous dosing, and the lowest retention occurred after oral dosing. Following a single oral dose, almost all of the 103Pd and 191Pt was excreted in the feces due to nonabsorption, whereas after intravenous dosing, similar quantities were excreted in both the urine and feces. Tissues containing the highest concentrations of these metals were the kidney, spleen and liver. Following intravenous dosing of pregnant rats, a small amount of 103Pd and 191Pt was found in the fetuses.