title: Environmental toxicant exposure during pregnancy.
abstract: This literature review is meant to serve as a brief reference for acute and chronic poisonings in pregnant women, specifically involving environmental toxicants commonly present in the home or workplace. These scenarios are familiar to primary care providers but cause great confusion for practitioners and anxiety in the pregnant patient. Herein, we review metals and metalloids, organic solvents, disinfectant byproducts, pesticides, plasticizers, and multiple air pollutants. Reviews of specific studies involving these toxicants are provided to assist practitioners in providing information to patients regarding potential sources, mechanism of action, current laboratory and epidemiological studies, and possible treatments. Literature-based associations with specific toxicants and various pregnancy outcomes are also outlined. Finally, a contact list of important federal and state toxicology support services is provided.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to assess both acute and chronic consequences of various environmental toxic exposures in pregnancy; to evaluate possible pregnancy related specific events surrounding environmental pollutants; and to identify common exposure routes and implement therapeutic interventions where appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Red
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: C David
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Adair
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances