A study of inhaled arsenic-74 in man.

Abstract

In an attempt to determine the amount of uptake distribution and rates of absorption and elimination of inhaled arsenic-74 in man 11 volunteers who had terminal lung cancer were studied. 8 inhaled smoke in their usual manner from a cigarette impregnated in its distal 1/2 with 250 muc. of arsenic-74 in the form of a solution of sodium arsenite. The other 3 inhaled 200-300 muc. of arsenic-74 in an aerosol solution from an intermittent positive pressure machine. Within the past 12 years many reports have revealed that the inhalation of arsenic dusts and fumes can be an etiological agent of lung cancer. When smoke from cigarettes adulterated with arsenic-74 was inhaled uptakes of from 4.8-8.8% of the total radioactivity were found. Uptakes of aerosol solution of arsenic-74 in 2 patients were 32 and 62% respectively. Distribution of the inhaled arsenic-74 as determined with a scinti-scanner showed a diffuse uptake in 7 patients and a tendancy to pick up a greater amount in the perihilar areas in 4 patients. The absorption rate from the bronchial tree was rapid for the 1st several days and then tapered off slowly. In 3 patients an average of 45% of the inhaled arsenic was eliminated in the urine in 10 days and 2.5% in the stoool.