When alcohol (ethanol) is metabolised it first becomes acetaldehyde (ethanol) and then becomes acetic acid (ethanoic acid, an ingredient in vinegar).
The toxicity of acetaldehyde is well known. Drugs like Antabuse (disulfiram) prevent the second metabolic step in the process after ingestion of alcohol and therefore there is a huge build up of acetaldehyde in your body. This is what makes those taking Antabuse so sick if they do drink whist taking it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disulfiram
Here's an example MSDS for acetaldehyde.
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9922768
The term 'teratogen' is the 'passing on to children' that you write about.