• Report focuses on possible effects of environmental chemicals on human reproduction and the development of the unborn child.
• Conclusion: “Even with an exposure to a chemical of concern, many other factors may influence the development of an abnormality; such as the timing of the exposure in the pregnancy, the genotype of the unborn child and mother or maternal health and dietary status.”
• Exec Summary on the other hand states: “Epidemiological studies seeking to establish an association between exposure to environmental chemicals and toxicity to the reproductive system have not provided definite evidence for any causal relationship, although there is suggestive evidence in a number of areas that warrant further consideration.”
• Report acknowledges that REACH will address to some extent gaps in knowledge of the potential toxicity to the reproductive system of many of the chemicals to which the public may be exposed.
• Report outlines experimental methods for investigating toxicity to reproductive system (in-vivo and in-vitro including the European Community ReProTect project). Details of OECD Test Guidelines are provided.
• Report also looks at chemical teratogenesis and implicated chemicals.
• Definition: “Human teratogen is an agent that if administered to pregnant mothers causes directly or indirectly, structural or functional abnormalities in the foetus or child after birth, which may not be apparent until later life”.
• Report also reviews biomarkers used for detection of effects on fertility following chemical exposure.

To download the full report, please click here.

Summary of Health Protection Agency (HPA) Report on:
“Review of Environmental Chemicals and Neurotoxicity Focus on Neurological Diseases”
(Published May 2007)

• Report focuses on possible neurotoxic effects of environmental chemicals, particularly those involved in progressive degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Affect on neurological development in children following early life stage exposure is also considered.
• Report is a literature review of current scientific developments. It also evaluates alleged effects from exposure to environmental chemicals.
• Definition: “Neurotoxicity is concerned with the adverse change in the structure or function of the nervous system.”
• Definition: “Developmental neurotoxicity is the effect of chemicals on the developing nervous system during the pre-or postnatal period principlaay as a result of chemical exposure to the mother during pregnancy or lactation.”
• Current methods for assessing neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity are described.
• Chemicals “involved” with Parkinson’s disease are alkaloids, b-carbolines, pesticides and metals.
• Chemicals “involved” with Alzheimer’s disease are acrolein, aluminium and other metals.
• Chemicals “involved” with developmental neurotoxicity are lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
• Chemical-induced deficits in colour perception (claimed by other authors to be an early sign of neurotoxity or opic neuropathy) are also evaluated. Individual chemicals reviewed are styrene, toluene, perchloroethylene, n-hexane and carbon disulphide.

Report Concludes that:

• There are very limited data to suggest that exposure to environmental chemicals is associated with progressive neurological conditions.
• Evidence from epidemiological studies with regard to associations with environmental chemicals is sparse and of this data, most relates to possible association with Parkinson’s disease. One such study has shown a dose-response relationship with the herbicide paraquat – following a recommendation by the UK government’s Advisory Committee on Pesticides, Defra is now leading work on further epidemiological and mechanistic research on pesticides and Parkinson’s disease.
• Report recommends further research into whether zinc and acrolein have a role in neurogenerative diseases.
• HPA has identified progressive neurodegenerative diseases as a priority area within their research programme at the Medical Toxicology Research Centre at the University of Newcastle.
• In terms of developmental neurotoxicity, epidemiology studies do exist for a few chemicals – these are the established neurotoxic chemicals (lead, methylmercury, PCBs etc).
• Few data exists to support the view that loss of colour vision from chemical exposure is an early sign of neurotoxicity – report recommends further work in this area.
• Report recommends way forward – efforts should be focussed on generating a toxicological database on chemicals to which the public is widely exposed, so as to ensure those with potential neurotoxic properties are recognised and controlled. HPA expect this data to come from REACH.

To download the full report, please click here.