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Abstract Introduction Observance of the health-based MAK values and BAT values set by the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area does not guarantee, in every case, that the unborn child is reliably protected because numerous substances have not yet been investigated or have been only partially tested for prenatal toxicity. Methods Epidemiological studies on prenatal toxic effects of substances, but predominantly data from animal studies are considered in the evaluation of the developmental toxicity and if necessary developmental neurotoxicity. No-effect levels for developmental toxicity are compared to MAK and BAT values. Results The Commission has established pregnancy risk groups to describe the risk of prenatal toxicity when the MAK or BAT value is observed: prenatal toxic effects are (i) unlikely (Group C), (ii) cannot be excluded (Group B) or (iii) have been unequivocally demonstrated (Group A). For substances assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group B, the Commission additionally examines which work place concentration of the substance would correspond to assignment to Pregnancy Risk Group C (“prerequisite for Group C”). Discussion A number of substances, however, cannot yet be assigned to one of the above groups due to missing or insufficient data on prenatal toxicity or, in case of neurotoxic substances, on developmental neurotoxicity (Group D). Conclusions The establishment of pregnancy risk groups allows to decide whether pregnant women can work without risk to their unborn child.
Weistenhöfer et al. (Mon,) studied this question.