Pathway and rate of metabolism of trichloroethylene in rats and rabbits.

Metabolism of trichloroethylene with special reference to the metabolic pathway and rate were studied; trichloroethylene metabolites in urine were determined in rats, which were intraperitoneally administered with trichloroethylene or its metab-olites such as chloral hydrate, trichloroacetic acid or trichloroethanol. One-third of trichloroethylene administered was found to be metabolized to trichloroethanol via chloral hydrate. A minor metabolite, trichloroacetic acid, was suggested to be produced via chloral hydrate or via trichloroethanol.Metabolic rate from trichloroethylene to chloral hydrate was relatively slow, while the biotransformations of chloral hydrate to trichloroethanol and to trichloro-acetic acid were very rapid. The metabolic rate of trichloroethanol to trichloroacetic acid was remarkably slow.Metabolism of trichloroethylene in rabbits was demonstrated as well.