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. 1986 Nov;69:177–182. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8669177

Reproductive toxicology of disinfection by-products.

M K Smith, H Zenick, E L George
PMCID: PMC1474316  PMID: 2949968

Abstract

The chronic exposure of large segments of the population to disinfected drinking water has necessitated an evaluation of the health effects of the by-products of the chlorination process. This paper reviews the available information concerning the reproductive consequences associated with exposure to disinfection by-products. Four groups of compounds are discussed: the trihalomethanes, in particular chloroform; the chlorinated phenols; chlorinated humic substances; and the haloacetonitriles. In the pregnant female, chloroform and the 2- and 2,4-chlorophenols produced low levels of embryo- and fetotoxicity. Chloroform induced terata when administered by inhalation. The chlorinated humic substances and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were without significant reproductive effects. The haloacetonitriles showed in utero toxicity, becoming more severe with increasing halogen substitution.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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