Reproductive toxicity
Reproductive toxicity refers to the potential risk from a given chemical, physical or biologic agent to adversely affect both male and female fertility as well as offspring development.
[6] Female infertility could be a result of an issue regarding their uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes and can be impacted by various diseases, endocrine/hormone disruption, or reproductive toxicant.
[6][5] The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) separates reproductive toxicity from germ cell mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, even though both these hazards may also affect fertility.
[8] Another group of substances which have received much attention (and prompted some controversy) as possibly toxic for reproduction are the so-called endocrine disruptors.
Lead, a heavy metal that can exist in both organic and inorganic forms, and is associated with adverse effects on male libido, erectile disfunction, premature ejaculation and poor sperm quality.
[14][15] Lead is believed to predominantly affect male reproduction by the disruption of hormones, which reduces the quantity of sperm production in the seminiferous tubules.
[20] Exposure to cadmium results in adverse male fertility in terms of decreased spermatogenesis, semen quality, sperm motility and impaired hormonal synthesis.
[21] Likewise, exposure to cadmium impairs female fertility in terms of menstrual cycle regularity and reproductive hormonal balance.
[25] Elemental mercury( Hg0) is a metal that exists as liquid form at room temperature and is commonly found in thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and dental amalgams.
[26] Occupational exposure to inorganic mercury can occur in industries such as dentistry, fluorescent lamp production, and Chloralkali workers.
[26][28] Elemental and organic mercury can cross the blood brain barrier, like many other heavy metals, making it particularly significant for pregnant people as it can impact fetal development and birth outcomes.
[12] Additional studies also demonstrated that DBCP-exposed workers in banana and pineapple plantations in central America and other countries also developed oligospermia and azoospermia.
[30] In 1977, the United States Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DBCP in agriculture due to its effect on male fertility.
Specific solvents including xylene, perchloroethylene, toluene and methylene chloride have been shown to be associated with a concurrent elevation in risk for spontaneous abortion [35] Ionizing radiation in the form alpha, beta and gamma emissions are well known to adversely affect male and female fertility, as well as fetal development.
[36] Occupations with documented risk include: healthcare workers who interact with radioactive material, certain manufacturing processes, and airline personnel.
[38] Recent studies suggest that routine medical examinations that expose a pregnant person to ionizing radiation are not associated with an increase of risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
[39] Radio frequency electromagnetic fields, such as those generated from mobile phone devices, have been shown to decrease semen quality production in experimental animal models; however human data is still equivocal at best.
[40][41] The International Association for the Research of Cancer(IARC) classifies radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a group 2B or possibly carcinogenic.
Specifically, females exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero during the first trimester have are more likely to develop clear cell vaginal carcinoma, and males have an increased risk of hypospadias.
[58] Pregnant people who are past 20 weeks of development should consider avoiding noises above 85 decibels, including at work and recreational activities.
