The distribution of 14C-p-tert.-butyltoluene (TBT) following inhalation by the rat: a whole body autoradiographic study.

The distribution of [methyl-14C]p-tert.-butyltoluene was studied in the rat by use of whole-body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. The test substance was administered by inhalation. High concentration of radioactivity was seen in the CNS immediately after inhalation, from where it was rapidly cleared. The liver also contained much radioactivity, as well as the bile, kidneys and the praeputial glands. Increasing amounts of radioactivity were observed in the skin, adipose tissue (brown adipose tissue) and the Harderian gland with increasing survival times. There was still some radioactivity left in the animal 96 hrs after exposure. At least part of the radioactivity in the skin, liver, brown adipose tissue, the Harderian gland and the praeputial glands was found to be non-extractable from the sections using both polar and non-polar solvents.