Cumulative Chemical Exposures During Pregnancy and Early Development.
Industrial and consumer product chemicals are widely used, leading to ubiquitous human exposure to the most common classes. Because these chemicals may affect developmental milestones, exposures in pregnant women and developing fetuses are of particular interest. In this review, we discuss the prevalence of chemical exposures in pregnant women, the chemical class-specific relationships between maternal and fetal exposures, and the major sources of exposures for six chemical classes of concern: phthalates, phenols, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCs). Additionally, we describe the current efforts to characterize cumulative exposures to synthetic chemicals during pregnancy. We conclude by highlighting gaps in the literature and discussing possible applications of the findings to reduce the prevalence of cumulative exposures during pregnancy.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 414, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. smitro@gwu.edu.
Susanna D
SD
Mitro
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 414, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. ttj14@gwu.edu.
Tyiesha
T
Johnson
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 414, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. azota@gwu.edu.
Ami R
AR
Zota
D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000032:analysis; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D010755:Organophosphates; D010636:Phenols; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Cumulative exposure; Flame retardants; Organochlorine pesticides; Perfluorinated compounds; Phenols; Phthalates; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Pregnancy