Reproductive toxicity chlorine

Toxicology. Chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) cause chloracne, may cause hepato-toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, and central nervous system toxicity, and are considered to be a human carcinogen. 

Limited carcinogenicity data for chlorine dioxide and chlorite do not indicate a particular cancer concern, but adequate animal cancer bioassays have not been performed. Genotoxicity testing has produced mixed results. Chlorine dioxide and chlorite do not appear to be reproductive toxicants. 

Couri et al. (1982b) reported an increase in the number of resorbed and dead fetuses in cesarean-delivered litters of pregnant rats receiving chlorite doses 70 mg/kg/day during gestation. However, this may have been a developmental toxicity effect. Additional reproductive toxicity studies could be designed to further investigate the potential for chlorine dioxide or chlorite to induce reproductive effects. 

EPA (IRIS 2002) has derived an RPC of 2x10 " mg/m for chlorine dioxide based on a LOAEL of 2.76 mg/m (1 ppm) for respiratory effects (peribronchiolar edema and vascular congestion in the lungs) in rats exposed to chlorine dioxide vapors 5 hours/day, 5 days/week for 2 months (Paulet and Desbrousses 1972). The LOAEL was converted to a LOAEL hec of 0.64 mg/m and divided by an uncertainty factor of 3,000 (10 for extrapolation of a chronic RPC from a subchronic study, 3 for interspecies extrapolation using dosimetric adjustments, 10 for intrahuman variability, and 10 to account for extrapolation from a LOAEL for mild effects and for the lack of inhalation developmental and reproductive toxicity studies). 

Gates DJ, Harrington RM. 1996. Neuro-reproductive toxicity issues concerning chlorine dioxide and the chlorite ion in public drinking water supplies. In Proceedings 1995 water quality technology conference. Part I, University of California Berkeley, November 12-16, 1995. Denver, CO AWWA, 813-830. 

As seen from the data, water disinfected with chlorine can have a complex mixture of lipophiles and hydrophiles. The lipophilic THMs can facilitate the absorption of the hydrophilic haloacetic acids, haloace-tonitriles and haloketones. An analogy between the reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity of DBPs can be drawn. Though no single chlorinated byproduct studied appears to be carcinogenic, there is evidence from animal studies that DBP mixtures are carcinogenicJ4°l... 

Chlorinated organic compounds (dioxins, other halocarbons) Combustion of municipal wastes, paper processing, cleaning solvents Toxic effects including birth defects, reproductive failure, cancer, and systemic poisoning. 

Artificial Pollutants Organic compounds (chlorinated pesticides, phosphorus-based pesticides, freons) industriai and municipai wastewaters runoff from urban areas and iandfiii erosion of contaminated soiis and sediments atmospheric deposition Toxic effects inciuding birth defects, reproductive faiiure, cancer, and systemic poisoning. 

Early studies of cyclodienes revealed reproductive effects on mice, rats, and dogs associated with changes in the estrus cycle (ref. 100, p. 154). Ottolenghi et al. (ref. 105) observed teratogenic effects on mice and hamsters at 1/2 LD q doses of aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. In addition to the anomalies observed (cleft palate, webbed feet and open eyes), growth retardation and fetal deaths occurred. Effects on the dams were not reported, but none of the expected overt toxic symptoms associated with chlorinated cycloalkenes was in evidence (ref. 105) ... 

SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and neoplastigenic data. Poison by intravenous and subcutaneous routes. Moderately toxic by other routes. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. See also ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic Sb fumes. Incompatible with chlorinated rubber and heat of 216° and with BrFs. 

Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. An insecticide. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cr. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 2.2 Label Nonflammable Gas SAFETY PROFILE MUdly toxic by inhalation. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. An asphyxiant in high concentrations. At elevated pressures, 50% mixtures with air are combustible although ignition is difficult. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F" and CT. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC and FLUORIDES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intraperitoneal and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion sodium level changes, chlorine level changes, acute pulmonary edema, nausea or vomiting. Experimental reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. A diuretic. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of SOx, Cl", and NOx. 

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