Reproductive toxicity assessment of surface water of the Tai section of the Yangtze River, China by in vitro bioassays coupled with chemical analysis

► Only 11 PAHs of US EPA priority PAHs were detected in surface water the Yangtze River. ► Level of BaP didn't exceed national drinking water source quality standard of China. ► 286-fold concentrated organic extracts induced great reproductive toxicity in rats. ► PAHs posed the greatest risk of the chemicals studied. ► The compounds in the water could be bioconcentrated and result in adverse effects.