Chromosomal aberrations and fetotoxic effects of atmospheric arsenic exposure in mice.

Fetal chromosomal damage and toxicity were investigated in mice exposed to the atmospheric concentrations of 28.5 mg m-3, 2.9 mg m-3 and 0.26 mg m-3 of arsenic for 4 h per day on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th days of gestation. On the 18th day, the fetuses were removed, and the following parameters were examined: the number of dead fetuses, retardation in growth, osteogenesis and chromosomal aberrations in liver cells. It was found that exposure to As2O3 at 28.5 mg m-3 caused fetotoxic effects and chromosomal damage, while the two lower exposures produced no significant changes with the exception of a slight decrease (9.9 and 3.1%, respectively) in fetal weight.