(VCCEP) Tier 1 Pilot Submission for BENZENE - Tera

decreases in maternal weight gain, fetal body weight, and percentage of weight-retarded
fetuses, as well as increased incidence of extra ribs and fused sternebrae. In a follow-up study
(Tátrai et., 1980), concentrations of 0, 47, 140, 465, and 930 ppm (0, 150, 450 1500, and
3000 mg/m 3 ) benzene were administered, 24hours/day, on GDs 7–14. Decreased maternal
body-weight gains (not corrected for gravid uterus) were concentration dependent at doses of
47–465 ppm, but decreases were less at 930 ppm. Fetal body weights were decreased at all
doses, and fetal loss (30%–40% total implantation sites), and skeletal variations were increased
at 140 ppm and above.
When rats were exposed to benzene (400 mg/m 3 ) combined with toluene (100 mg/m 3 ) or xylene
(600 mg/m 3 ), 24 hours/day on GDs 7–15, sacrificed on GD 21, decreased maternal weight gain
and retardation of fetal and skeletal growth were observed, but no increases in skeletal
anomalies, malformations or abnormal survivors occurred. Developmental effects of combined
solvents were not additive. However, each solvent, when administered along with
acetylsalicytic acid (ASA), enhanced expression of ASA-induced malformations (Ungváry and
Tátrai, 1985).
Benzene VCCEP Submission
March 2006
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