"Clastogenicity", "Mutagenicity" and "Teratogenicity" of Rubber Chemicals

Manufacturer: When reading about the toxicity of rubber chemicals, I often come across the terms, "Clastogenicity", "Mutagenicity" and "Teratogenicity". Can you please explain the meaning of these terms?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Interesting questions. I had mentioned this before but briefly, I would like to make the following comment again:

1) Clastogenicity
"Clastogen" refers to a general class of chemicals which produce changes or alterations in the cell chromosomes.

2) Mutagenicity
'Mutagens" refer to those chemicals which tend to induce changes in the genetic materials carried by both the male and female reproductive cells.

Please take note that mutagenic chemicals are also carcinogens. Hence some cancer tests are actually tests of the mutagenicity potential.

3) Teratogenicity
"Teratogens" are chemicals which interfere with the normal development of the foetus during pregnancy and hence leading to malformation of the baby.