Social Sustainability
Teratogen
An agent that causes malformation of a developing embryo or fetus — a regulated hazard class in workplace and chemicals law.
Definition
A teratogen is any agent — chemical, physical or biological — that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus, causing structural malformations or functional deficits. Known chemical teratogens include thalidomide (the historical archetype), certain solvents, lead, mercury and some pesticides; radiation and infections such as rubella and Zika also qualify. Under GHS and EU CLP, such substances are classified as reproductive toxicants, triggering labelling, exposure controls and substitution duties.
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