Reproductive system damage

Exposure to excessive amounts of lead over a long period of time (chronic exposure) increases the risk of developing certain diseases. The parts of the body which may be affected include the blood, nervous system, digestive system, reproductive system, and kidneys. These effects include anemia, muscular weakness, kidney damage, and reproductive effects, such as reduced fertiHty in both men and women, and damage to the fetus of exposed pregnant women. 

The three targets that are the first point of contact between environmental chemicals and the body will be discussed first the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory system, and the skin. Recall from Chapter 2 that chemicals enter the blood after absorption, so this fluid is the next target (see Figure 2.1). Then come the liver, the kidneys, and the nervous system. The chapter concludes with a discussion of some chemicals that can damage the reproductive system and some that can cause birth defects, the so-called teratogens, and other forms of developmental toxicity. Brief discussions of immune system, cardiovascular system, muscle, and endocrine system toxicities are also offered. 

PVC can also contain phthalates, plasticizers that make materials flexible. Phthalates have been linked to cancer, kidney damage, and problems with the reproductive system. 

Studies on health effects of PAEs in humans have remained controversial due to limitations of the study design. Some findings in human populations are consistent with animal data, suggesting that PAEs and their metabolites produce toxic effects in the reproductive system. Some studies associate monoesters PAEs with semen parameters, sperm DNA damage, and hormones in human population, but none of them are statistically significant. Urinary monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono- -butyl phthalate (MBP), MEHP, and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) were associated with poor sperm morphology and vigor, and with low sperm concentration, motility, and linearity [31-35]. However, it is not yet possible to conclude whether phthalate exposure is harmful for human reproduction. 

Reproductive toxicity to 2,3,7,8-TCDD has been demonstrated in animals. "" The effects include pre- and postimplantation losses in females, morphologic and functional changes in male and female reproductive organs, and hormonal imbalance in both sexes. A number of developmental effects have been observed in animals acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-TCDD by the oral route. Effects observed in offspring of animals include cleft palate, kidney anomalies, immune system damage (thymic atrophy and immunosuppression), impaired development of the reproductive system, decreased growth, and fetal/newborn mortality. 

Toxicology. Nitrous oxide is an asphyxiant at high concentrations prolonged exposure has been associated with damage to the hematopoietic system, the central nervous system, and the reproductive system. 

A number of compounds cause specific damage to the male reproductive system. Thus, cadmium, 2-methoxyacetic acid, dibromochloropiopane, and diethylhexylphthalate all cause different... 

Some toxicants are known to affect the female reproductive system and processes. Exposure to the alkylating agents cyclophosphamide and vincristine can lead to loss of female sexual function. Cyclophosphamide may attack and damage the oocytes, cells that lead to egg formation. Pharmaceutical busulfan damages ovaries. The 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide of benzo(a)pyrene, as well as some other metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can be toxic to oocytes. 

Reproductive System. Epoxy resins and curing agents themselves do not seem to affect pregnancy and reproduction in humans. However, some of the diluents and solvents that are used may affect reproduction. Two solvents sometimes found in epoxy resin systems (ethoxyethanol and methoxyethanol) have been determined to cause birth defects in laboratory animals and reduced sperm counts in men. Some diglycidyl ethers also damage the testes and cause birth defects in test animals. It is not known whether these materials cause the same effect in humans. 

The solvents most commonly used in paints are glycol ethers, which are known to cause damage to the male reproductive system by destroying the cells that produce sperm in the testes. 

Aside from respiratory" irritation, heavy marijuana use does not seem to cause other medical problems. Of course, warnings of the medical dangers of cannabis have been well publicised, wffth reports of everything from brain damage to injury of the immune and reproductive systems, but these arc based on poor research, often conducted by passionate foes of the drug. Studies of populations that have smoked cannabis for many years do not reveal obvious illnesses that can be linked to marijuana. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Chronic exposure causes central nervous system damage and blood-pressure effects. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic NOx. See other amphetamine entries. 

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