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Reproductive Toxin
Definition
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A reproductive toxin is a substance or agent that can cause adverse effects on the reproductive system. The toxic effects may include alterations to the reproductive [sexual] organs and/or the endocrine system (which includes the thyroid and adrenal glands). These effects can occur in both men and women.
OSHA defines reproductive toxins as "Chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis).
Exposure to reproductive toxins may cause one to become infertile or to have difficulty conceiving a child. Reproductive toxins may affect the parent, developing child (even after birth), or both.
Additional Info
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine says:
"Characteristics which distinguish reproductive toxicity from other toxic effects include:
- adverse effects in [the] exposed person may only become manifest in the other party. For example, an exposure to a reproductive toxicant in a male may produce an effect in the conceptus [fetus or child];
- infertility may not be evident until children are desired and may therefore go unnoticed for long periods; and
- normal reproductive function is only expressed intermittently. Disturbances of the reproductive process from occupational reproductive hazards can produce a broad range of potential toxic effects."
In response to potential reproductive hazards and fetotoxins, the state of California (USA) passed a measure called the The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, which is better known by its ballot name, Proposition 65. This act attempts to regulate the use of potential fetotoxins and reproductive hazards. Further information can be found in the links below.
SDS Relevance
Safety Data Sheets are required to disclose reproductive effects. Reproductive toxic effects are not always irreversible. It can be difficult to determine if workplace exposure to a material is the cause of infertility because fewer than 1,000 chemical agents (out of 50,000,000+ known chemicals) have been studied for the reproductive effects.
When working with materials that are potential reproductive toxins use standard (and common sense) precautions such as fume hoods, appropriate respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Better yet, see if you can find a safer alternative to using that particular material!
Further Reading
This guide to safer laboratories is available from Safety Emporium.
- University of California Davis's SafetyNet article # 107, Pregnancy and Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace: Physical and Biological Hazards.
- University of California Davis's SafetyNet article # 108, Pregnancy and Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace: Chemical and Radiological Hazards.
- NIOSH has a great site on Reproductive Health And The Workplace.
- The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's Prop 65 page and their currently listed chemicals.
- Preconception Brief: Occupational/Environmental Exposures from Matern Child Health J. 2006 September; 10(Suppl 1): 123-128.
- No longer available free on-line but this article "Fetal Protection Policies: A Method of Safeguarding Fetuses or a Way of Limiting Women in the Workplace?" appeared in J. Health Hosp. Law 1990 Jul;23(7):193-207, 213, 224.
- Ask Dr Safety about Reproductive Toxins, a PowerPoint presentation prepared by the American Chemical Society's Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
- The American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety has a short guidance document titled Developing Reproductive Protection Programs in Industrial and Academic Setting.
- Keeping safe during pregnancy, a background article on the following link:
- What to Expect When Expecting in Lab: A Review of Unique Risks and Resources for Pregnant Researchers in the Chemical Laboratory from Chem. Res. Toxicol., 2022, 35(2), pp 163-198 ().
See also: carcinogen, cytotoxin, fetotoxin, heavy metal, mutagen.