[Limits of exposure in the prevention of damage of reproduction: an operational proposal].

Recent studies have shown that the reproductive system may be particularly vulnerable to some environmental agents. This requires the definition of specific exposure limits to safeguard the reproductive health of both males and females and, not only of pregnant women. The paper presents such limits of exposure for a number of reproductive toxicants. These were defined on the basis of experimental and epidemiological evidence, taking into consideration the precautionary principle.