The lack of nephrotoxicity in the rat by sodium chlorite, a possible byproduct of chlorine dioxide disinfection in drinking water

Abstract

This study evaluated the nephrotoxic effects of sodium chlorite when administered in the drinking water of male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Sodium chlorite was administered for periods of 30, 90, and 180 days and at concentrations of 31.2, 125, and 500 ppm (along with appropriate negative and positive controls). Examination of sections by light microscope revealed no abnormalities in the kidneys of the rats in the chlorite exposure groups. Water consumption, mortality, kidney weight, body weight change, and percent kidney to body weight ratio showed no statistically significant relationship to chlorite ion concentration, although an association was observed between the latter two parameters and sodium concentration of treatment water.

Key words:

• sodium chlorite
• chlorine dioxide
• drinking water
• nephrotoxicity
• sodium chloride
• animal model