Cesium formate

Endpoint summary

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

06 August, 2015 to 01 April, 2016

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Objective of study:

other: It was the intention of this toxicokinetic study to relate plasma and blood levels of Cs to the systemic general and male reproductive toxicity of Cs. This will enable the extrapolation of the toxicity produced by CsCl to other Cs salts.

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Four groups of Han Wistar rats received cesium chloride (CsCl) at doses of 0, 13, 38 and 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 0, 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for 13 weeks, followed by an 8-week recovery period. A further treated group received CsCl at 253 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for a reduced treatment period of 9 weeks because of excessive toxicity, followed by an approximate 12-week recovery period. During the study, toxicokinetics, clinical condition, body weight, food consumption, blood pH and pCO2 investigations were undertaken. Additional blood and plasma samples from an associated toxicology study, obtained following a 12 and 16 week recovery period from animals that received 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day), were analysed for cesium as part of this study.

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Radiolabelling:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

other: RccHan™;WIST

Sex:

male

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Envigo RMS Limited (formally Harlan (UK) Ltd)
- Females (if applicable) nulliparous and non-pregnant: [yes]
- Age of the main study and recovery animals at start of
treatment: 41 to 47 days.
- Weight range of the main study and recovery animals at the start of treatment: Males: 114 to 173 g, Females: 115 to 145 g
- Housing: Polycarbonate cages with a stainless steel mesh lid, changed at appropriate intervals. Five of the same sex per cage, unless reduced by mortality. Bedding: Wood based bedding which was changed at appropriate intervals each week
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Teklad 2014C Diet. Non-restricted (removed overnight before blood sampling for hematology or blood chemistry and during the period of urine collection).
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Potable water from the public supply via polycarbonate
bottles with sipper tubes. Bottles were changed at appropriate intervals.
- Acclimation period: 12 days before commencement of treatment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 20-24°C
- Humidity (%): 40-70%
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12:12

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

water

Details on exposure:

Oral, by gavage, using a suitably graduated syringe and a rubber catheter inserted via the mouth.
Volume dose: 10 mL/kg body weight.
Individual dose volume: Calculated from the most recently recorded scheduled
body weight.
Control (Group 1): Vehicle at the same volume dose as the treated groups.
Frequency: Once daily at approximately the same time each day.

Duration and frequency of treatment / exposure:

- Exposure: 90 days
- Recovery period: 16 weeks

Dose / conc.:

0 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Remarks:

Controls

Dose / conc.:

13 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Remarks:

Equivalent to 10 mg Cs/kg bw/day

Dose / conc.:

38 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Remarks:

Equivalent to 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day

Dose / conc.:

127 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Remarks:

Equivalent to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day

Dose / conc.:

253 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Remarks:

Equivalent to 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day

No. of animals per sex per dose / concentration:

5

Control animals:

yes

Positive control reference chemical:

No

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: The doses used in this study (0, 13, 38, 127 and 253 mg CsCl/kg/day which correspond with 0, 10, 30 100 and 200 mg Cs/kg/day) were selected based on the findings of an ora
l gavage 90 day toxicity study of CsOH.H2O in the rat and an oral gavage reproduction/developmental screening study (56 days of treatment) of CsNO3 in the rat.
- Post-exposure recovery period in satellite groups: The recovery periods were initially intended to be 4 or 8 weeks duration. These were extended when the severity of effect on spermatogenesis and lack of recovery seen after 4 weeks recovery for animals at the high dose indicated a longer period of recovery would be needed.

Details on dosing and sampling:

During the study, toxicokinetics, clinical condition, body weight, food consumption, blood pH and pCO2 investigations were undertaken. Additional blood and plasma samples from an associated toxicology study, obtained following a 12 and 16 week recovery period from animals that received 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day), were analysed for cesium as part of this study.

Statistics:

Summary statistics (e.g. means and standard deviations) presented in this report were calculated from computer-stored individual raw data. Group mean values and standard deviations were frequently calculated using a greater number of decimal places than presented in the appendices. It is, therefore, not always possible to derive exact group values from the data presented in the appendices.

Metabolites identified:

no

Cesium concentrations increased proportionally with dose in both plasma and blood samples over the 13-week study period, and showed a dose dependent reduction over the 4 to 16 week recovery period. The mean plasma concentrations of cesium achieved in the rat after daily treatment for 90 days (duration of treatment was just not enough to achieve steady state plasma concentrations) were 11.3 (0.08 mM), 36.5 (0.27 mM) and 87.7 µg Cs/mL (0.65 mM) for dose groups receiving 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day, respectively

Treatment at doses up to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day was generally well-tolerated. Treatment at 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was stopped in Week 9 because of excessive toxicity. Irritable and vocal behaviour was observed for animals receiving 30 or 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day from Week 8. A high incidence of encrustations on the lower jaw, and/or muzzle was apparent for animals given 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. The incidence of encrustations decreased as the recovery phase progressed, though animals previously treated at 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day were recorded as being irritable and vocal during the recovery period.

No animals died or were killed prematurely.

Body weight gain for animals receiving 100 or 200 Cs/kg bw/day and food consumption for animals receiving 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was lower than that of the controls throughout the

treatment period with recovery being demonstrated after cessation of treatment.

Venous blood pH was generally higher than that of the controls and venous blood pCO2 values were consistently lower than those of the controls, from 24 hours after dosing on Day 1 until the end of the study for animals which received 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. These changes were also apparent on Day 91 for animals receiving 10 or 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day and on Day 151 for animals receiving 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day.

Executive summary:

A study was conducted to assess the toxicokinetics of cesium (Cs), blood pH and pCO2 during 13-weeks of oral gavage in Han Wistar rats followed by an 8-week recovery period. It was the intention of this toxicokinetic study to relate plasma and blood levels of Cs to the systemic general and male reproductive toxicity of Cs. This should enable the extrapolation of the toxicity produced by CsCl to other Cs salts.

Four groups of 5 rats received cesium chloride (CsCl) at doses of 0, 13, 38 and 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 0, 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for 13 weeks, followed by an 8-week recovery period. A further treated group received CsCl at 253 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for a reduced treatment period of 9 weeks because of excessive toxicity, followed by an approximate 12-week recovery period. During the study, toxicokinetics, clinical condition, body weight, food consumption, blood pH and pCO2 investigations were undertaken. Additional blood and plasma samples from an associated toxicology study, obtained following a 12 and 16 week recovery period from animals that received 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day), were analysed for cesium as part of this study.

Cesium concentrations increased proportionally with dose in both plasma and blood samples over the 13-week study period and showed a dose dependent reduction over the 4 to 16 week recovery period. The mean plasma concentrations of cesium achieved in the rat after daily treatment for 90 days (duration of treatment was just not enough to achieve steady state plasma concentrations) were 11.3 (0.08 mM), 36.5 (0.27 mM) and 87.7 µg Cs/mL (0.65 mM) for dose groups receiving 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day, respectively. Treatment at doses up to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day was generally well-tolerated. Treatment at 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was stopped in Week 9 because of excessive toxicity. Irritable and vocal behaviour was observed for animals receiving 30 or 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day from Week 8. A high incidence of encrustations on the lower jaw, and/or muzzle was apparent for animals given 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. The incidence of encrustations decreased as the recovery phase progressed, though animals previously treated at 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day were recorded as being irritable and vocal during the recovery period. No animals died or were killed prematurely. Body weight gain for animals receiving 100 or 200 Cs/kg bw/day and food consumption for animals receiving 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was lower than that of the controls throughout the treatment period with recovery being demonstrated after cessation of treatment. Venous blood pH was generally higher than that of the controls and venous blood pCO2 values were consistently lower than those of the controls, from 24 h after dosing on Day 1 until the end of the study for animals which received 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. These changes were also apparent on Day 91 for animals receiving 10 or 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day and on Day 151 for animals receiving 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day. However, this was not considered to be representative of a clear metabolic alkalosis (Webley, 2016).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:

low bioaccumulation potential

Absorption rate - oral (%):

100

Absorption rate - dermal (%):

100

Absorption rate - inhalation (%):

100

Additional information

Exposure to cesium formate can occur mainly via spills and splashes of the brine during various steps of its processing and use. In aqueous solution at a pH above 3.75, cesium formate will be present essentially as the cesium cation (Cs) and the formate anion (HCO2-). Because of its ionic nature and its high hydrophilicity (log Pow < -2.2), cesium formate will not penetrate easily through the lipid-rich environment of the skin’s stratum corneum so that systemic exposure will be low.

Once taken up by the organism, cesium formate dissociates into the cesium cation (Cs) and the formate anion (HCO2 -). Information on the toxicokinetics behaviour of cesium and formate is summarised below.

Cesium

Published information

Studies in animals and humans have shown that cesium taken up into the body in soluble form is almost completely absorbed to blood. Once in the blood, widespread distribution of cesium to all major soft tissues, in particular muscle, occurs. Cesium is a close chemical analogue of potassium, with which it competes for transport through potassium channels. It can also substitute for potassium in activation of the sodium pump and subsequent transport into the cell. The primary route of excretion is urine. Elimination in humans is age and sex-related, with elimination half-times ranging from 8 (children) to 150 (adults) days recorded in various studies. Long-term retention is principally a function of muscle mass (ATSDR, 2004; Henrichset al., 1989 Richmondet al., 1962). The element is relatively uniformly eliminated without selectively accumulating in certain tissues (Boecker, 1969).

Toxicokinetic study in rats with CsCl

A study was conducted to assess the toxicokinetics of cesium (Cs), blood pH and pCO2 during 13-weeks of oral gavage in Han Wistar rats followed by an 8-week recovery period. It was the intention of this toxicokinetic study to relate plasma and blood levels of Cs to the systemic general and male reproductive toxicity of Cs. This should enable the extrapolation of the toxicity produced by CsCl to other Cs salts.

Four groups of 5 rats received cesium chloride (CsCl) at doses of 0, 13, 38 and 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 0, 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for 13 weeks, followed by an 8-week recovery period. A further treated group received CsCl at 253 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day) for a reduced treatment period of 9 weeks because of excessive toxicity, followed by an approximate 12-week recovery period. During the study, toxicokinetics, clinical condition, body weight, food consumption, blood pH and pCO2 investigations were undertaken. Additional blood and plasma samples from an associated toxicology study, obtained following a 12 and 16 week recovery period from animals that received 127 mg CsCl/kg bw/day (equivalent to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day), were analysed for cesium as part of this study.

Cesium concentrations increased proportionally with dose in both plasma and blood samples over the 13-week study period and showed a dose dependent reduction over the 4 to 16 week recovery period. The mean plasma concentrations of cesium achieved in the rat after daily treatment for 90 days (duration of treatment was just not enough to achieve steady state plasma concentrations) were 11.3 (0.08 mM), 36.5 (0.27 mM) and 87.7 µg Cs/mL (0.65 mM) for dose groups receiving 10, 30 and 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day, respectively. Treatment at doses up to 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day was generally well-tolerated. Treatment at 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was stopped in Week 9 because of excessive toxicity. Irritable and vocal behaviour was observed for animals receiving 30 or 100 mg Cs/kg bw/day from Week 8. A high incidence of encrustations on the lower jaw, and/or muzzle was apparent for animals given 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. The incidence of encrustations decreased as the recovery phase progressed, though animals previously treated at 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day were recorded as being irritable and vocal during the recovery period. No animals died or were killed prematurely. Body weight gain for animals receiving 100 or 200 Cs/kg bw/day and food consumption for animals receiving 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day was lower than that of the controls throughout the treatment period with recovery being demonstrated after cessation of treatment. Venous blood pH was generally higher than that of the controls and venous blood pCO2 values were consistently lower than those of the controls, from 24 h after dosing on Day 1 until the end of the study for animals which received 100 or 200 mg Cs/kg bw/day. These changes were also apparent on Day 91 for animals receiving 10 or 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day and on Day 151 for animals receiving 30 mg Cs/kg bw/day. However, this was not considered to be representative of a clear metabolic alkalosis (Webley, 2016).

Formate

In the aqueous environment, formate exists in equilibrium with formic acid (Formate + H+ <=> Formic acid). Once absorbed, formic acid is readily metabolised and eliminated. The substance is partially degraded to carbon dioxide and water and partially excreted unchanged in urine. The biological half-life of formic acid is very short, ranging between 15 minutes and 1 h.

Absorption rates selected for risk assessment

As only limited information is available regarding oral and inhalation uptake of cesium formate, a worst case value of 100% for both routes was considered for risk assessment purposes. This value is likely to be greatly overestimated.

The physicochemical properties of the cesium formate and the respective ions do not favour dermal absorption. The ionic nature of the inorganic salt will hinder dermal uptake. Pendic and Milivojevic (1966) conducted a dermal absorption study on the structural analogous substance cesium chloride (CsCl) in rats. In this study, it was determined that only a minor fraction (approximately 3 %) of radiolabeled CsCl applied to a skin surface of several cm2 was absorbed within 6 h into the systemic circulation. These findings support that very limited absorption into the systemic circulation is expected after dermal application. However, given that no information is available directly on cesium formate, a very conservative value of 50% dermal absorption wasretained for risk assessment purposes

References

Boecker BB (1969). The metabolism of 137Cs inhaled as 137CsCl by the beagle dog. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 130(3):966-971.

Henrichs K, Paretzke HG, Voigt G and Berg D (1989). Measurements of Cs absorption and retention in man. Health Phys. 57(4):571-578.

Pendic B and Milivojevic K (1966). Contamination interne au 137Cs par voie transcutanée et effet des moyens de décontamination et de protection sur la résorption transcutanée de ce radionuclide. Health Phys. 12:1829-1830.

Richmond CR (1964). Distribution of cesium137 after chronic exposure in dogs and mice.Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.116:375-378.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (2004).Toxicological profile for cesium.https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp157.pdf