Absorption, Distribution, Excretion, and Metabolism of Ethylenethiourea in Guinea Pigs

抄録

The absorption, distribution, excretion and metabolism of ethylenethiourea (ETU), a well-known vulcanization accelerator of neoprene rubber and a carcinogen to the thyroid of rats, were studied in guinea pigs. Percutaneous absorption of ETU from intact skin was rather slow, while uptake from abraded skin was quite rapid. Studies on the tissue and organ distribution of radioactive ETU indicated that this compound was accumulated into the thyroid at the highest concentration, independently of the route of administration. The half-life of ETU in the thyroid was far longer than the half-lives in other tissues and organs. As for the excretion and metabolism of ETU, most of the absorbed ETU was excreted unchanged into the urine in guinea pigs.