The effect of increasing the time interval between strontium exposure and chelation therapy was studied in male Swiss mice. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-amino-ethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabycyclo[8.8.8]-hexacosane (Kryptofix 222), tartaric acid, and 1,13-bis(8-chinolyl)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecan (Kryptofix 5) were administered intraperitoneally at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after subcutaneous injection of 1,139 mg/kg of strontium nitrate. Chelating agents were given at doses equal to one-fourth of their respective LD50 values. Daily elimination of strontium into urine and feces was determined for five days after which time the animals were killed, and the concentration of strontium was determined in various tissues. Only Kryptofix 222 was capable of increasing the total urinary elimination of strontium when given immediately after strontium exposure, whereas the amount of total strontium excreted into the feces was significantly enhanced by treatment with EGTA at 0 or 24 h after strontium injection, or with Kryptofix 222 at 6 h after strontium exposure. However, Kryptofix 222, tartaric acid, and Kryptofix 5 reduced the concentration of strontium in bone at 0, 6, or 12 h after strontium injection, whereas at 24 h only Kryptofix 5 significantly lowered the concentration of the metal in bone. The results of this study indicate that the length of time before initiating chelation therapy for strontium removal may influence remarkably the effectiveness of this therapy.