This list, prepared by the College Resource Center Librarians from other sources, is provided for information only. Referral to these sites does not imply the endorsement of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of either the organization or their contents, expressed views, programs, or political activities. Further, the College does not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available from these organizations or on these websites. This list is not meant to be comprehensive; the exclusion of a site does not reflect the quality of that site. Please note that sites and URLs are subject to change without warning. Please also refer to the WEBTREAT on Genomics, Genetics and the HGP for related links. mash/pvh/mash updated 4/7/04; last revised 4/26/11
Federal Sites:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
The CDC offers many resources on teratology and toxicology, some of which are listed below. Use the search box or alphabetic index on the main CDC page to find additional resources.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
ATSDR provides trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.
Medications and Pregnancy
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
The NCBDDD currently includes three divisions - the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Human Development and Disability, and the Division of Blood Disorders.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
NIOSH is responsible for conducting research on occupational disease and injury. The website provides information on occupational hazards, safety, guidelines, and links to databases.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
This is the primary FDA page, with links to food safety, drugs, cosmetics, tobacco products, and other topics. Use the search box or alphabetic list to find specific topics.
Food Safety for Moms-To-Be
This FDA site provides pregnant women with guidelines on safe food, safe food preparation, and foodborne illnesses of particular impact on pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnancy Registries
This FDA Office of Women’s Health site provides an explanation of how pregnancy exposure registries work and how to participate in them, as well as a list of registries and resources for additional information on taking medications during pregnancy.
What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish (FDA/EPA)
This FDA/EPA site provides advice, data, and resources on mercury risks in seafood for pregnant and nursing women.
National Children’s Study (NCS)
The NCS will examine the environmental impact on 100,000 children from before birth through age 21.
National Library of Medicine (NLM) Environmental Health and Toxicology
This is the main website for NLM Specialized Information Services toxicology information. Search all of TOXNET or specific databases such as TOXMAP, Haz-Map, listservs, and LactMed.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)(NLM)
LactMed is a database of drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.
Household Products Database (NLM)
This database contains health and safety information on over 6000 products used in and around the home. Pregnancy and birth defects risks are included, but not as a separate category.
Tox Town
Tox Town provides an introduction to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks encountered in everyday life, in everyday places.
ToxSeek
ToxSeek is a meta-search site for environmental health and toxicology.
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
The NTP coordinates toxicology research and testing activities. The website provides links, fact sheets, testing information, study results, reports, grants, and other information.
NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
The NIH National Toxicology Program Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction CERHR) web site is the resource for the latest information about potentially hazardous effects of chemicals on human reproduction and development.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers. Site information is arranged by broad topics, including compliance, laws, enforcement, state programs, safety and health topics, and statistics.
Non-Governmental Sites:
Canary Database
Staff of the Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program select, curate, and index thousands of articles to review the evidence of animals as “early warning” sentinels of human health hazards.
Clinical Teratology Web Site
This site, a project of the Teratogen Information System at the University of Washington, offers access to computerized databases such as TERIS & Shepards's Catalog of Teratogenic Agents. The site also offers information about lactation, training programs, other organizations, meetings, and other resources.
March of Dimes Foundation (MOD)
The MOD site links to the MOD Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center for information on birth defects. The Center can also be contacted by e-mail or through their Ask Us Now! chat function.
Motherisk
Motherisk provides evidence based information about the safety or risk of drugs, chemicals, and disease during pregnancy and lactation.
National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN)
NBDPN, a group of individuals involved in birth defects surveillance, research, and prevention, was created to establish and maintain a national network of state and population-based programs for birth defects surveillance and research.
Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS)
OTIS provides links to the Teratology Information Services in the United States and Canada. Teratology Information Services provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary resources for medical consultation on prenatal exposure to teratogens. Their phone number is 866-626-6847.
Reprotox
Reprotox is an information service developed by the Reproductive Toxicology Center. The database provides assessments on the potentially harmful effects on pregnancy, reproduction, and development. Access to this database is by subscription or as a paid visitor.
Society of Toxicology
This site provides information about the Society's mission, publications, and links to other sites.
Teratology Society
This site provides information on teratology, resources, research, and training in teratology.