REVERSIBILITY OF EFFECTS - OVERVIEW AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Recovery from adverse noncancer health effects may occur in some circu mstances after cessation of exposure or after adaptation to continuing low-dose exposure. In this overview, factors that influence the rever sibility of toxic effects of environmental chemicals are presented, us ing examples derived from toxicity to the reproductive system. Aspects that must be considered include exposure scenario, stage of the life cycle at which exposure occurs, and the nature of the toxicity. Select ed categories of reproductive effects are considered briefly with resp ect to potential for recovery. Finally, the incorporation of reversibi lity into risk assessments is discussed.