What does the term teratogenic refer to?

The term teratogenic specifically refers to agents that can induce birth defects in a developing fetus. This means that exposure to teratogenic substances during pregnancy can result in malformations or functional abnormalities in the offspring. These agents may affect various stages of prenatal development, leading to structural defects or impairments in function.

Understanding teratogenic effects is important in industrial hygiene and public health because it underscores the importance of protecting reproductive health in environments where hazardous substances may be present. This knowledge helps inform safety protocols, especially for pregnant workers or those who may become pregnant.

The other options refer to different types of hazards or effects. For instance, the ability to cause cancer relates to carcinogenic substances, while substances that increase infection risk concern infectious agents or immunosuppressive chemicals. Additionally, agents causing respiratory issues pertain to respiratory hazards, which are separate from teratogenic effects. Each of these concepts is crucial to understanding occupational health risks, but they do not describe the teratogenic properties associated with certain chemicals or environmental factors.