US EPA

8433 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

Biological availability of arsenic from fish 

Munro, IC; Charbonneau, SM; Sandi, E; Spencer, K; Bryce, F; Grice, HC 

1974 

1 

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
ISSN: 0041-008X
EISSN: 1096-0333 

29 

1 

111 

English 

WOS:A1974T653800098 

is part of a larger document 3378179 Abstracts of papers for the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, Washington, D.C. March 10–14, 1974

Although it has been well established that certain species of marine life contain high amounts of arsenic, little experimental data exists concerning the bioavailability of this arsenic to mammals. In order to gain some information on the potential public hazard, studies were undertaken to compare the excretion of arsenic from fish and arsenic trioxide. Adult female Yorkshire pigs with urinary catheters were given a series of 4 single meals; low arsenic fish (control); high arsenic fish (0.3 mg As/kg); arsenic trioxide (0.3 mg As/kg) and arsenic trioxide with low arsenic fish (0.3 mg As/kg). Urine samples were collected daily for 3 days prior to dosing, every 12 hr for 4 days after dosing and then daily for 6 days. Fecal collections were done daily for 3 days prior to dosing and for JO days thereafter. Following administration of the high arsenic fish, 80% of the arsenic was excreted in the urine and the remaining 20% appeared in the feces. Excretion was virtually complete in 4 days. Following administration of arsenic trioxide, 80% of the arsenic was excreted in the urine in the 1st day, while the remaining 20% appeared to be retained in the body. 

Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology 

Washington, D.C. 

March 10–14, 1974