Testing of selected workplace chemicals for teratogenic potential

Abstract

The reproductive toxicity and teratogenic potential of 19 industrial chemicals have been investigated during the past 3 a. Preliminary studies utilizing intraperitoneal treatments of rats on days 1-15 of gestation have been conducted on the following ten chemicals: allyl chloride, bisphenol A, copper naphthenate, ethylene dibromide, hexachlorobutadiene, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, methyl styrene, naphthalene, 2-nitropropane, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane. Studies utilizing inhalation exposure of rats and rabbits on days 1-19 and 1-24, respectively, of gestation have been conducted on the following nine chemicals: butylene oxide, carbon disulfide, 2-ethoxyethanol, ethyl benzene, methyl bromide, nitrous oxide, styrene oxide, tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. In the preliminary studies, evidence of teratogenic potential was seen with allyl chloride and bisphenol A, and fetal toxicity was found in the absence of maternal toxicity with methyl styrene and 2-nitropropane. In the inhalation studies, 2-ethoxyethanol was strongly embryotoxic at the higher exposure levels employed and was teratogenic at the lower concentration.