Abstract
1. Distribution in mice of 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachloro[14C]biphenyl has been studied by autoradiography. Radioactivity was specifically localized in the bronchial epithelium, the lung parenchyma, the kidney cortex and the adipose tissue.
2. Bis(methylsulphonyl)-2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, a hitherto unknown metabolite of 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, has been identified in lung, kidney and liver of mice. 3- and 4-Methylsulphonyl-2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl were also present.
3. The ratio of the contents of 3- and 4-methylsulphonyl-2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl in the liver was 1–12 after 12 days. A lower ratio in lung and kidney indicates a high affinity of these tissues for the 4-methyl isomer.