Toxicity Profile for Cesium compounds (2000)

Abstract

Cesium hydroxide was irritant to the eyes and skin of rabbits. No evidence of sensitization potential was seen in guinea pigs injected with dilute solutions of cesium hydroxide or cesium iodide. Low acute oral toxicity was demonstrated in rodents administered the carbonate, iodide, nitrate, chloride or sulphate; the acetate, formate and hydroxide salts showed moderate acute oral toxicity and caused effects on the central nervous system. Various sites of toxic action have been reported for cesium chloride (particularly the central nervous system, liver and kidney), when given orally or by intraperitoneal injection to rodents. Cesium chloride and cesium carbonate have been administered orally to treat cancer patients; nausea and diarrhoea were reported as side effects. Chromosome damage has been induced by cesium chloride in the bone marrow cells of mice given a single oral dose and in human blood cells in culture. The chloride was not mutagenic in an Ames bacterial test, but caused DNA damage in bacteria, as did the carbonate, sulphate and nitrate.