Nervous system developmental exposure

The health-effects data on JP-8 and related fuels were reviewed for the following end points respiratory tract toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. JP-8 was found to be potentially toxic to the immune system, respiratory tract, and nervous system at exposure concentrations near the interim PEL of350 mg/m3. Those toxicides are summarized below. 

In rodents, a greater proportion of nervous system development takes place postnatally than in humans. Accordingly, rodent studies of developmental neurobehavioral toxicity that extend exposure into the early postnatal period are probably more analogous to human prenatal exposure than are rodent studies that use only prenatal exposure. 

The long-term consequences of neonatal exposure to triethyllead were examined with respect to the development of the central nervous system of rats138. The studies of the developmental exposure to triethyllead lead to the conclusion that this compound causes permanent hippocampus damage (neurotoxicity) in rats. 

Target organs of chloroform toxicity are the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys (see Section 2.2). Respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal toxic effects have also been reported. Studies in animals also indicated that chloroform exposure may induce reproductive and developmental effects and cause cancer. Several studies investigated the possible mechanism for chloroform-induced toxicity (see Section 2.5). Proposed mechanisms of chloroform toxicity and potential mitigations based on these mechanisms are discussed below. The potential mitigation techniques mentioned are all experimental. 

The accumulated evidence leaves no doubt that MeHg is a serious developmental toxicant in humans, especially to the nervous system. While the toxicological, and behavioral outcomes resulting from high-concentration in utero MeHg exposures are not in debate, questions regarding risks and mechanisms of action following low-concentration, chronic in utero exposures remain. 

The primary human exposure to methyl mercury is from consumption of contaminated fish. The most sensitive population is the developing fetus or infant due to the effects of methyl mercury on the nervous system (neurotoxic) and developmental effects. Exposure limits and fish consumption advisories are directed at pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and children. All agencies also recognize that fish consumption has many nutritional benefits and is an important part of many people s diet. Nevertheless, the widespread distribution of mercury and subsequent bioaccumulation of methyl mercury requires that many agencies have developed recommendation for levels of mercury in fish. Below is a list of some of these recommendations, but it is very important to consult the local fish consumption advisories. 

The principal effects of carbon tetrachloride in humans are on the liver, the kidneys and the central nervous system. These effects are apparent following either oral or inhalation exposure, and limited data indicate they can occur after dermal exposure as well. All of the effects seen in humans except renal injury are demonstrable at roughly comparable exposure levels in animals, although there are some variations in susceptibility between species that are likely to be related to differences in metabolism. No studies were located regarding reproductive and developmental effects in humans after exposure to carbon tetrachloride. In rats, carbon tetrachloride was not shown to adversely affect reproduction or development. Studies with both mice and rats suggest that sufficiently high doses of carbon tetrachloride may increase the risk of liver tumors in exposed humans. 

As shown in Figure 2-4, there is a considerable body of data on the health effects of carbon tetrachloride in humans, especially following acute oral or inhalation exposures. Although many of the available reports lack quantitative information on exposure levels, the data are sufficient to derive approximate values for safe exposure levels. There is limited information on the effects of intermediate or chronic inhalation exposure in the workplace, but there are essentially no data on longer-term oral exposure of humans to carbon tetrachloride, most toxicity studies have focuses on the main systemic effects of obvious clinical significance (hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system depression). There are data on the effects of carbon tetrachloride on the immune system, but there are no reports that establish whether or not developmental, reproductive, genotoxic, or carcinogenic effects occur in humans exposed to carbon tetrachloride. 

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