Most of the data for toxicity of this substance by the oral route are from studies performed with sodium hypochlorite
or chlorine gas. In biological systems, characterized by pH values in the range of 6-8, the most abundant active
chemical species is HOCl, in equilibrium with ClO-
. Such available chlorine is readily absorbed via the oral route
and distributed into plasma, bone marrow, testis, skin, kidney and lung. Only ca. 50% is excreted mainly with the
urine followed by excretion with feces. HOCl is not enzymatically metabolized.