Use of an evaluated toxicity data base in setting priorities for the assessment of reproductive toxicants
The purpose of this paper is to present one possible approach for selecting teratogens, focusing on those with the potential for environmental exposures. Such an approach may be of value in a variety of regulatory settings. The regulation of reproductive toxicants requires prioritization of chemicals to be evaluated. Using the review by Schardein as an evaluated teratology data base, non-drug chemicals with the potential for environmental exposure were identified that had positive teratogenicity studies in multiple species, with most teratogens found to have been studied in only one species. Environmental exposure data were evaluated to rank teratogens, and to evaluate the use of exposure potential in chemical selection. We found that short-term environmental exposure data critical for evaluating teratogenic risks were not available, and long-term (annual) exposure data were scarce, thus our ability to rank teratogens was limited. Long-term exposure data may be more suitable for ranking male and female reproductive toxicants, and for identifying facilities with high emissions of reproductive toxicants, than for ranking teratogens. Using the methods described above, 35 teratogens were identified which appear likely to be candidates for listing under California's Proposition 65, or for other aspects of environmental or occupational regulation.
