Prenatal exposure to carbon black (printex 90): effects on sexual development and neurofunction.

Maternal pulmonary exposure to ultrafine particles during pregnancy may affect the health of the child. Developmental toxicity of carbon black (Printex 90) nanoparticles was evaluated in a mouse model. Time-mated mice were intratracheally instilled with Printex 90 dispersed in Millipore water on gestation days (GD) 7, 10, 15 and 18, with total doses of 11, 54 and 268 μg Printex 90/animal. The female offspring prenatally exposed to 268 μg Printex 90/animal displayed altered habituation pattern during the Open field test.