Impact of chloroform exposures on reproductive and developmental outcomes: A systematic review of the scientific literature

Abstract

Aims:We assessed the animal and epidemiological data to determine if chloroform exposure causes developmental and/or reproductive toxicity. Results and Discussion: Initial scoping identified developmental toxicity as the primary area of concern. At levels producing maternal toxicity in rats and mice, chloroform caused decrements in fetal weights and associated delays in ossification. In a single mouse inhalation study, exposure to a high concentration of chloroform was associated with small fetuses and increased cleft palate. However, oral exposure of mice to chloroform at a dose 4 times higher was negative for cleft palate; multiple inhalation studies in rats were also negative. Epidemiologic data on low birth weight and small for gestational age were generally equivocal, preventing conclusions from being drawn for humans. The animal data also show evidence of very early (peri-implantation) total litter losses at very high exposure levels. This effect is likely maternally mediated rather than a direct effect on the offspring. Finally, the epidemiologic data indicate a possible association of higher chloroform exposure with lower risk of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation). Conclusions: The available animal data suggest that exposures lower than those causing maternal toxicity should be without developmental effects in the offspring. Also, most studies in humans rely on group-level geographic exposure data, providing only weak epidemiologic evidence for an association with development outcomes and fail to establish a causal role for chloroform in the induction of adverse developmental outcomes at environmentally relevant concentrations. K E Y W O R D Sbirth defects, chloroform, developmental toxicity, epidemiology, teratogenicity

Occupational exposure and health risks of volatile organic compounds of hotel housekeepers: Field measurements of exposure and health risks

“…Cancer risks were driven by chloroform and formaldehyde. At high exposures (not found in this study), chloroform can cause central nervous system effects, respiratory depression, delayed hepatotoxicity, 84 kidney and liver damage, and reproductive effects 85,86 . Chloroform is classified as a likely human carcinogen by the US EPA 87 and as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 88 ; it is associated with kidney, liver, and bladder tumors 88,89 .…”

Exposure to Chloramine and Chloroform in Tap Water and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Shanghai

“…In Shanghai, tap water chloroform concentrations ranged from 23.3 to 0.2 mg/L, and chloramine from 1.35 to 0.78 mg/L, in the last 5 years. Chloramine and chloroform are widely distributed in tap water, exposing humans through the daily ingestion of drinking water and inhalation and dermal absorption during showers and baths [ 6 ]. In this way, chloramine and chloroform are potential systematic health threats, leading to multiple diseases, such as bladder and brain cancers [ 7 ] and nervous and reproductive effects [ 8 ] after long-term exposure.…”

Ethanolic Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaf extract dechlorophyllised using sedimentation process: Antioxidant, antibacterial properties and efficacy in extending the shelf‐life of striped catfish slices

“…Guava leaf extract dechlorophyllised with chloroform had the highest antimicrobial and antioxidant activities as well as extraction yield as compared to other solvent used (Olatunde et al ., 2018). Nevertheless, the use of chloroform for food applications has been prohibited because of its carcinogenic effect (Williams et al ., 2018). Hence, there is an urgent need to develop a simple green method for producing plant extract with desirable colour, while still retaining its beneficial properties.…”