ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Organic solvents and vapors emitted by them are commonplace in our modern environment, both at work and in the home. Incidental exposures, such as to gasoline vapors, lighter fluid, spot removers, aerosol sprays, and the like, may be of short duration and at low levels and thus may go undetected. More serious exposures may occur to paint removers, floor and tile cleaners, and other solvents in the home, as well as industrial situations where large quantities of solvents may be used in manufacturing and processing operations. One of the major areas of concern in the context of birth defects relative to solvent toxicity and vapor inhalation is with industrial workers, particularly because large numbers of women of childbearing age are now in that workplace.
