Retention Patterns of Antimony in Mice Following Inhalation of Particles Formed at Different Temperatures 1

Summary

The temperature of aerosol formation has been demonstrated to profoundly influence the metabolic pattern of inhaled antimony. Using ¹²⁴Sb as a tracer, aerosols were nebulized from the tartrate complex and the droplets passed through heating columns at 100, 500 and 1100°, before reaching the animal. The lower temperature aerosol was more soluble and left the lung rapidly, localizing primarily in skeleton. The two higher temperature-produced aerosols resulted in ¹²⁴Sb remaining in the lung for extended periods. Overall retention, regardless of the critical organ (lung or skeleton), would tend to place antimony in the class of compounds that have a retention time on the order of weeks.

The generous assistance of our colleagues in the conduct of this research is gratefully acknowledged, particularly Dr. G. M. Kanapilly in development of the aerosol technology, Aerosol Physics personnel in the exposure of animals and the animal caretakers for the care of the animals.