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Reproductive toxicology
ELSEVIER
Safety Science 18 (1995) 231-232
Book Review Reproductive Toxicology, Edited by Mervyn Richardson. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim, FRG, 1993.27 1 pp., ISBN 3-527-2856 1-X. The need to consider effects of chemical substances on the human reproductive system is growing. It is generally recognised that the developmental risks of pregnant women may be a possible target, but is less recognized that also the male reproductive system may be adversely affected. The low awareness of reproductive health hazards is illustrated by a recent study in which 700 Material Data Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) were analysed for reproductive health hazard descriptions (Am. J. Ind. Med., 25: 403-415 1994). Over 60% of MSDS’s of products with well-known reproductive affecting compounds made no mention whatsoever of effects on the reproductive system. Those that did were much more likely to address developmental risks rather than male reproductive effects. It seems that a MSDS is not a reliable alert for warranting of reproductive risks. Other information sources are necessary. Since legislation to control reproductive occupational risk is currently being prepared in the European Union, occupational hygienists and safety experts may have a need for background information on reproductive risks. Reproductive Toxicology is a multi-author book. Some of the material of this book was taken from a UK symposium in 1992 on reproductive toxicology. Authors from Central and Eastern Europe have added to the book’s content. The book has four Sections: Introduction and overview, male reproductive toxicology, female reproductive toxicology, and human health aspects. The first Section contains an interesting chapter with an overview of teratogenic effects of industrial exposures and compounds associated with carcinogenic risks. The potential teratogenic effects have been much less intensively studied that potential carcinogenic effects. The data are not sufficient to answer the question whether occupational carcinogens are also teratogenic compounds. In addition data on Chinese and Soviet studies on reproductive toxicology are presented. The following three Sections have chapters on individual studies, chapters on individual compounds, and chapters on experimental and epidemiological study-models unfortunately without a clear line such as in a handbook. The differences between gonadotropic effects, teratogenic effects, embryotoxic effects of foetotoxic effects are not explicitly explained. An overview of possible endpoints of the male reproductive 0925-7535/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDIO925-7535(94)00049-2
232
Safety Science/Book
Review 18 (1995) 231-232
system is not given. It is a structured symposium report with some overlap. It is not a book for outsiders who want to get familiar with the field of reproductive risks of chemical agents, but more a book for toxicological and epidemiological experts who are already, or are getting, involved in the field of reproductive toxicology. They will find interesting data of recent studies in this rapid expanding field of toxicology in the book. Frans Jongeneelen
Safety Science 18 (1995) 231-232
Book Review Reproductive Toxicology, Edited by Mervyn Richardson. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Weinheim, FRG, 1993.27 1 pp., ISBN 3-527-2856 1-X. The need to consider effects of chemical substances on the human reproductive system is growing. It is generally recognised that the developmental risks of pregnant women may be a possible target, but is less recognized that also the male reproductive system may be adversely affected. The low awareness of reproductive health hazards is illustrated by a recent study in which 700 Material Data Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) were analysed for reproductive health hazard descriptions (Am. J. Ind. Med., 25: 403-415 1994). Over 60% of MSDS’s of products with well-known reproductive affecting compounds made no mention whatsoever of effects on the reproductive system. Those that did were much more likely to address developmental risks rather than male reproductive effects. It seems that a MSDS is not a reliable alert for warranting of reproductive risks. Other information sources are necessary. Since legislation to control reproductive occupational risk is currently being prepared in the European Union, occupational hygienists and safety experts may have a need for background information on reproductive risks. Reproductive Toxicology is a multi-author book. Some of the material of this book was taken from a UK symposium in 1992 on reproductive toxicology. Authors from Central and Eastern Europe have added to the book’s content. The book has four Sections: Introduction and overview, male reproductive toxicology, female reproductive toxicology, and human health aspects. The first Section contains an interesting chapter with an overview of teratogenic effects of industrial exposures and compounds associated with carcinogenic risks. The potential teratogenic effects have been much less intensively studied that potential carcinogenic effects. The data are not sufficient to answer the question whether occupational carcinogens are also teratogenic compounds. In addition data on Chinese and Soviet studies on reproductive toxicology are presented. The following three Sections have chapters on individual studies, chapters on individual compounds, and chapters on experimental and epidemiological study-models unfortunately without a clear line such as in a handbook. The differences between gonadotropic effects, teratogenic effects, embryotoxic effects of foetotoxic effects are not explicitly explained. An overview of possible endpoints of the male reproductive 0925-7535/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDIO925-7535(94)00049-2
232
Safety Science/Book
Review 18 (1995) 231-232
system is not given. It is a structured symposium report with some overlap. It is not a book for outsiders who want to get familiar with the field of reproductive risks of chemical agents, but more a book for toxicological and epidemiological experts who are already, or are getting, involved in the field of reproductive toxicology. They will find interesting data of recent studies in this rapid expanding field of toxicology in the book. Frans Jongeneelen