Previous studies have demonstrated that the hepatotoxin carbon tetrachloride rapidly promotes lipid peroxidation and inhibits microsomal calcium sequestration, microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity and cytochrome P-450. Due to its profound effects on lipid peroxidation, we have examined the oral administration of 2.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride on the urinary excretion of the lipid metabolites formaldehyde, malondialdehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone. Urine samples were collected up to 48 h after treatment. The urinary metabolites were identified and quantitated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Time-dependent increases in the urinary excretion of the four metabolites were observed after carbon tetrachloride administration. At 48 h after treatment, the increases in the excretion of malondialdehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone were approximately 55, 78, 57 and 268%, respectively, relative to control values. The data were expressed in nanomoles per kilogram body weight per 4.5 h. The results clearly demonstrate that carbon tetrachloride increases the urinary excretion of four lipid metabolites which may serve as noninvasive biomarkers of xenobiotic-induced lipid peroxidation.