Distribution of volatile halogenated organic compounds between rat blood serum and adipose tissue.

A 31-day rat-dosing sequence was used to study some aspects of the physiological distribution, metabolism, storage and rate of elimination of chloroform, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and bromodichloromethane from rat adipose tissue and blood serum. Data points were collected nine times during the dosing period and twice after dosing had ceased. Purge/trap/desorb methodology was employed using a liquid sample concentrator, a gas-liquid chromatograph and a Hall electrolytic conductivity detector in series. Compound identities were confirmed using a GC/MS analytical system. For these volatile compounds, tissue levels fluctuated but did not indicate increased storage with time. Adipose tissue to blood serum levels never differed by more than a factor of three. Within 3-6 days after dosing was terminated, practically all of the halogenated compounds had left the examined tissues. Metabolic conversion of trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride into chloroform and/or a chloroform precursor was observed; bromodichloromethane-dosed animals did not have serum chloroform levels exceeding those observed for the control animals.