title: Reproductive toxicology of disinfection by-products.
abstract: The chronic exposure of large segments of the population to disinfected drinking water has necessitated an evaluation of the health effects of the by-products of the chlorination process. This paper reviews the available information concerning the reproductive consequences associated with exposure to disinfection by-products. Four groups of compounds are discussed: the trihalomethanes, in particular chloroform; the chlorinated phenols; chlorinated humic substances; and the haloacetonitriles. In the pregnant female, chloroform and the 2- and 2,4-chlorophenols produced low levels of embryo- and fetotoxicity. Chloroform induced terata when administered by inhalation. The chlorinated humic substances and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were without significant reproductive effects. The haloacetonitriles showed in utero toxicity, becoming more severe with increasing halogen substitution.
mesh_terms: D000097:Acetonitriles / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D002725:Chloroform / Q000633:toxicity; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000633:toxicity; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013723:Teratogens; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000097:Acetonitriles; D004202:Disinfectants; D006812:Humic Substances; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D010636:Phenols; D013723:Teratogens; D002725:Chloroform