Reproductive and developmental toxicity of toluene: A review

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3431317· OSTI ID:5929562

Donald, J M; Hooper, K; Hopenhayn-Rich, C ^[1]

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1. California Dept. of Health Services, Sacramento (United States)

Toulene is a widely used industrial solvent, and humans may also have high exposures to toulene from the deliberate inhalation (sniffing) of paint reducer, paint thinner, or paint for their narcotic effects. A number of case reports describe neonatal effects that have been attributed to toulene abuse during pregnancy. These effects may include intrauterine growth retardation, premature delivery, congenital malformations, and postnatal developmental retardation. The possibility of exposures to other fetotoxic agents, either as impurities or admixtures in toulene-containing products, or by deliberate or accidental exposures to other chemicals or drugs, cannot be excluded in these cases. The fetotoxic effects of toulene have been demonstrated in controlled studies in animals and are comparable to those observed in humans who have abused toulene-containing products before or during pregnancy. Intrauterine developmental retardation is the most clearly established effect in animals, as evidenced by decreased late fetal weight and retarded skeletal development. There is also limited evidence in rodents for skeletal and kidney abnormalities, as well as some evidence for effects on postnatal physical and possibly neurobehavioral development. Estimated daily exposures from experimental studies in animals are compared to estimated human daily intakes at the occupational permissible exposure level and at the level reported to produce euphoria in humans. Acceptable human intakes under California's Proposition 65 and under US Environmental Protection Agency procedures are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5929562
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States) Vol. 94; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CALIFORNIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION IX
HYDROCARBONS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
METABOLISM
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ONTOGENESIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
REPRODUCTION
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
TERATOGENESIS
TOLUENE
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA