Primary thiomides such as thiobenzamide (TB) are well known hepatotoxins in the rat. Among para-substituted TB derivatives relative hepatotoxicity varies in accordance with the electronic properties of the parasubstituent. In contrast, several N-substituted TBs have been found to be potent lung toxins in rats and mice. For N-methylthiobenzamide (NMTB) the LD50 was found to be 0.315 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.228-0.436) mmol/kg in the rat and 0.224 (95% CI 0.191--0.264) mmol/kg in the mouse. The N-mono-substituted TBs produce alveolar and perivascular pulmonary edema, together with massive pleural effusions (hydrothorax). In this regard their toxicity resembles qualitatively that of the arylthioureas. Furthermore, pretreatment of rats with sub-lethal doses of NMTB was found to protect them against subsequent challenge with supra-lethal doses. N,N-Dimethylthiobenzamide (DMTB) also causes lung injury in the rat, but only at much higher doses than with the N-mono-substituted TBs. The similarity in toxic responses elicited by the N-mono-substituted TBs and the arylthioureas is paralleled by similarities in their chemical structures and their metabolic disposition which involves (among other things) S-oxygenation by the microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase (EC 1.14.13.8). Thus, a possible role for S-oxidized metabolites in the lung toxicity of these compounds must be considered.