Speciation, bioavailability, and systemic distribution of chromium from Whetlerite dust

Exploratory studies were conducted to determine if chromium from Whetlerite dust is bioavailable when administered intratracheally to rats, and if so, to determine its speciation. These studies indicated that chromium in this form and by this route of administration was bioavailable and was found in the trivalent state only. Less than 25% of the administered dose was recovered after 4 h, suggesting that most of the chromium was rapidly absorbed, distributed, and eliminated. Most of the chromium was found in the lungs and kidneys. The time course in the kidney suggests that this organ may be involved in the metabolism and elimination of trivalent chromium. Unexpected mortality in the experimental group of rats may have been due to the copper content of the Whetlerite, which exceeded the LD50 in the dose administered.