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HERO ID
3043074
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Title
Reproductive toxicology and teratology of abused toluene
Author(s)
Hannigan, JH; Bowen, SE
Year
2010
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine
ISSN:
1939-6368
EISSN:
1939-6376
Volume
56
Issue
2
Page Numbers
184-200
Language
English
PMID
20377315
DOI
10.3109/19396360903377195
Web of Science Id
WOS:000276462700007
Abstract
Toluene is an organic solvent that is widely used by industry and is ubiquitous in our environment. As a result, exposure to solvents like toluene in work-related settings (i.e., relatively constant, low-level exposures) or through inhalant abuse (i.e., relatively intermittent, high-level exposures) is increasing for many women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that the risk for pregnancy problems, as well as developmental delays and neurobehavioral difficulties, is higher for the children of women who have been exposed to high concentrations of organic solvents during pregnancy than for those who have not. These risks appear to be higher in cases of abuse exposure to solvents such as toluene, particularly in comparison to the risk for teratogenic outcomes with occupational solvent exposure. Despite this, the reproductive toxicology and teratology following abuse of toluene and other inhalants remains under-investigated. This brief review describes the current state of our understanding of the reproductive and teratogenic risk of gestational toluene abuse. The data to date suggest that the high levels of toluene exposure typical with inhalant abuse are more detrimental to fetal development than typical occupational exposure, and preclinical paradigms can be beneficial for investigating the processes and risks of prenatal solvent exposure. While substantial research has been done on the reproductive effects of occupational exposures to organic solvents, more research is needed on the outcomes and mechanisms of exposures typical of inhalant abuse.
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IRIS
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Trimethylbenzenes (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)
Literature Search for Related Compounds
Cited
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Cited August 2016
Cited Toxicological Review
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