Toluene is an organic
solvent that is widely used by industry and is ubiquitous in our environment. As a result, exposure to
solvents like
toluene in work-related settings (i.e., relatively constant, low-level exposures) or through
inhalant abuse (i.e., relatively intermittent, high-level exposures) is increasing for many women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that the risk for pregnancy problems, as well as developmental delays and neurobehavioral difficulties, is higher for the children of women who have been exposed to high concentrations of organic
solvents during pregnancy than for those who have not. These risks appear to be higher in cases of abuse exposure to
solvents such as
toluene, particularly in comparison to the risk for teratogenic outcomes with occupational
solvent exposure. Despite this, the reproductive toxicology and teratology following abuse of
toluene and other inhalants remains under-investigated. This brief review describes the current state of our understanding of the reproductive and teratogenic risk of gestational
toluene abuse. The data to date suggest that the high levels of
toluene exposure typical with
inhalant abuse are more detrimental to fetal development than typical occupational exposure, and preclinical paradigms can be beneficial for investigating the processes and risks of prenatal
solvent exposure. While substantial research has been done on the reproductive effects of occupational exposures to organic
solvents, more research is needed on the outcomes and mechanisms of exposures typical of
inhalant abuse.