Effects of exposure of parents to toxic gases in Bhopal on the offspring.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to methyl isocyanate and other toxic gases in Bhopal, India, on December 3, 1984 resulted in thousands of acute deaths, pregnancy loss and long-term effects.


METHODS
From 1985 to 2007, we conducted successive surveys of vital status and health to determine whether the exposure of parents to toxic gases in the Bhopal incident affected the 5-year survival and anthropometric variables of their offspring.


RESULTS
Initial 5-year mortality of offspring of exposed parents was very high. Male but not female offspring who were exposed to gases in utero or who were born to exposed parents were stunted in growth until puberty, which was followed by a period of accelerated growth. Results also suggest a post-puberty effect on head circumference of females exposed to gases in utero.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure of pregnant women to toxic gases in Bhopal in 1984 resulted in high pregnancy loss, increased first 5-year mortality and delayed development of male progeny.
Sarangi
S
S
Sambhavna Trust Clinic, Bafna Colony, Bhopal, India.
Zaidi
T
T
Pal
R K
RK
Katgara
D
D
Gadag
V G
VG
Mulay
S
S
Varma
D R
DR
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D001827:Body Height; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D055884:Chemical Hazard Release / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018812:Paternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011627:Puberty; D012737:Sex Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D000986:Antisickling Agents; D017953:Isocyanates; D010575:Pesticides; C008461:methyl isocyanate