STUDIES ON THE TOXICITY OF THORIUM NITRATE
The acute toxicity of thorium nitrate (tetrahydrate) was determined following intraperitoneal injection of an aqueous solution of this salt into mature, female, albino rats. The toxicity of this compound was relatively low. The LD/sub 50/ (at 48 hrs) was calculated to be 1220 mg/kg. Weanling rats appeared to be more resistant; limited data indicated that the LD/sub 50/ for these rats was greater than 2000 mg/kg but less than 2500 mg/kg. Groups of 10 to 20 mature and weanling albino rats were fed diets containing 0, 0.05, 1.0, Dietary levels of 3% or greater resulted in moderate to severe growth depression. A dietary level of 1% produced a slight depression of growth in male rats only; no effect on growth was observed in the rats fed the 0.05% dietary level. Hematological findings were negative, except for rats fed the diet containing 10% thorium nitrate. At this level a lowered red cell count was noted. This decrease in the red cell count is probably not related to the ingestion of thorium but more likely to the reduced food intake which was observed in the rats fed this diet. Histopathological findings were negative at all dietary levels. A daily dose of 1.0 gm of thorium nitrate/kg was given orally to a 10 kg male dog for a 46-day period. The dog exhibited a slight decrease (15%) in body weight during the period of ingestion. Histopathological study of tissues, taken following sacrifice, showed no changes which could be attributed to the daily intake of the thorium salt. A second dcg was fed 10 gm thorium nitrate/kg for two days. Food refusal was noted and the dose was reduced to 5 gm/kg. This dosage was fed for two days when death occurred. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Rochester, N.Y. Univ. Atomic Energy Project
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-005011
- OSTI ID:
- 4218396
- Report Number(s):
- UR-561
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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