Evaluation of Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Effects of Final Products of Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) Destruction

Abstract

The destruction of chemical weapons by the two-stage technology requires accommodating great amounts of bitumen-salt masses (BSM) containing GB, GD, VX detoxication products in special-purpose storehouses at the landfill. During BSM long-term storage the probability of contamination of the surrounding environment with CWA destruction products due to leaching with rainfall and ground water must not be completely excluded. The embryotoxic activity (including teratogenic effects) of BSM aqueous extracts containing final products of CWA destruction was evaluated in white non-pedigree rats at concentrations 100%, 20%, and 4% of GB, GD, and VX. The main pathological changes were largely hemorrhages in internal organs. The toxicometry of BSM aqueous extracts allows 100% extracts to be classified as effective, 20% aqueous extracts - as possessing the threshold impact, and 4% aqueous extracts as non-effective for the majority of indices representing the state of the reproductive function. The most effective potential hazard has been observed for BSM-VX. © 2006 Springer.