THE INTRAVENOUS TOXICITY OF SODIUM BISULFITE

¹ Biology Division, Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute, Rensselaer, New York

1. The comparative acute intravenous toxicity in mice of sodium bisulfite in distilled water and in 6 per cent protein hydrolysate was found to be 130 ± 8 and 130 ± 10 mgm./kgm., respectively.

2. Sodium bisulfite appeared to be twice as toxic for rabbits as for mice while the susceptibility of rats and hamsters was intermediate between these two species.

3. Two-thirds of the approximate LD₅₀ for rabbits was injected intravenously three times daily, five days a week for three weeks without apparent toxic effect.

4. Aqueous solutions of sodium bisuffite rapidly increased in acidity and acquired a strong odor of SO₂ on standing whereas no significant change in pH was observed with similar concentrations in protein hydrolysate over a period of three weeks.

5. Severe vascular irritation resulting in thrombus formation was observed with aqueous solutions of sodium bisulfite in rabbits while the protein hydrolysate bisulfite solutions were found to be non-irritating.

6. No evidence of cumulative toxicity by intravenous injection of sodium bisulfite, either in distilled water or in protein hydrolysate, was observed in a subacute toxicity study in rabbits.

7. Gross and microscopic pathological examination of the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys revealed no tissue changes attributable to the intravenous administration of sodium bisulfite to rabbits at total daily doses up to 120 mgm./kgm., five days a week, for three weeks.