Dermal absorption, distribution, and metabolism of 1,3-diphenylguanidine (CAS 102-06-7) (DPG), widely used as an accelerator in processing rubber and in food packaging, was studied in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. DPG shows 10% penetration through clipped back skin of the rats in 5 d. The first-order dermal absorption rate constant as determined by least square method was 0.021 +/- 0.002 d-1 (T1/2 = 33.6 d). Approximately 13% of the absorbed dose remained in the body in 5 d. Retention in skin, muscle, liver, intestine and fat contributed most to the body burden of DPG-derived radioactivity in 5 d. All tissues showed tissue to blood ratios greater than 1, with liver and intestine ratios of 26 at 5 d. Approximately 61% of the absorbed dose was eliminated into urine and 27% into feces in 5 d showing rapid clearance of absorbed DPG from the body. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of urine revealed two major peaks [parent compound and metabolite(s)]. Within 72 h, approximately 50% of the DPG-derived radioactivity excreted in the urine was parent compound. After 72 h, the DPG-derived radioactivity in the urine was present in the form of a single metabolite, and no parent compound was detected. No parent compound was detected in feces. Two metabolites, neither of which occurred in urine, were detected in feces. The HPLC analysis of the radioactivity at the application site showed only parent compound. Even though DPG shows slow dermal penetration, this route of exposure needs to be considered in the risk assessments because of the suspected chronic toxicity of DPG.