Embryotoxicity of inhaled benzene in mice and rabbits.

The effect of inhaled benzene on embryonal and fetal development was assessed in mice and rabbits. CF-1 mice and New Zealand white rabbits were exposed to 0 or 500 ppm of benzene for 7 hr per day from days 6 through 15 (mice) and 6 through 18 (rabbits) of gestation. Little evidence of maternal toxicity was seen in either species. Although some signs of embryonal toxicity were observed in both mice and rabbits, a teratogenic effect was not discerned in either species inhaling 500 ppm of benzene.