A Methodology for Assessing Developmental and Reproductive Hazards of Chemicals

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Abstract
A method to evaluate developmental and reproductive toxicity for a wide variety of chemicals has been developed. The assessment includes all effects on male and female reproductive function as well as effects in the developing embryo or fetus. Effects are evalu ated using primary literature. Studies are classified as adequate, supportive or inadequate. Only adequate studies are used in further assessment. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of each chemical is assessed using both qualitative and quantitative infor mation. Three elements are used to describe developmental toxicity of chemicals: Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL), weight-of- evidence classification and a Risk Ratio (RR). For reproductive toxicity only two elements are used, LOEL and weight-of-evidence. LOEL is defined as the lowest dose at which statistically significant effects are found. A risk ratio is calculated using the levels of the chemical producing acute maternal lethalilty (LD50 or LC5o) to the levels producing developmental toxicity in the same animal species and route of administration. The risk ratio is used to indicate the extent to which the developing embryo or fetus is more susceptible than the dam to the toxic effects of a chemical. A toxicity score (A

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