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Petrochemical Exposures and Reproductive Outcomes.

PB2004105289

Publication Date	1999
Personal Author	Christiani, D. C.
Page Count	90
Abstract	During 1994-1998, we have conducted a series of occupational epidemiologic studies to investigate the association of exposure to benzene and other organic solvents with adverse reproductive outcomes in a large petrochemical corporation in Beijing, China. A retrospective study found that the risk of spontaneous abortion was associated with exposure to benzene, gasoline, and hydrogen sulfide. Cross-sectional studies in two separate groups of women observed similar trends of increased frequency of prolonged menstrual cycles with longer years of exposure to organic solvents. In a prospective follow-up of women planning to conceive, benzene exposure was associated with reduced fecundability after adjusting for other solvents and potential confounders. In a study of birth outcomes who delivered a baby during the study period, exposure to benzene and other solvents were associated with a statistically significant reduction of birth weight adjusting for gestational age and other confounders. Although the levels of exposures were below the limit regulated by OSHA and recommended by NIOSH, our studies show that even low-level occupational exposure to benzene and other organic solvents is linked to a broad spectrum of adverse reproductive outcomes including menstrual disorders, spontaneous abortion, birth weight and decreased fecundability. These results suggest that the exposures need to be more strictly monitored among employees who are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Keywords	Occupational exposure Petrochemicals Occupational safety and health Risk assessment Organic solvents Benzene Oil refineries Reproductive outcomes Adverse reproductive outcomes
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Corporate Authors	Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	200418

Petrochemical Exposures and Reproductive Outcomes.

Petrochemical Exposures and Reproductive Outcomes.
PB2004105289

Publication Date	1999
Personal Author	Christiani, D. C.
Page Count	90
Abstract	During 1994-1998, we have conducted a series of occupational epidemiologic studies to investigate the association of exposure to benzene and other organic solvents with adverse reproductive outcomes in a large petrochemical corporation in Beijing, China. A retrospective study found that the risk of spontaneous abortion was associated with exposure to benzene, gasoline, and hydrogen sulfide. Cross-sectional studies in two separate groups of women observed similar trends of increased frequency of prolonged menstrual cycles with longer years of exposure to organic solvents. In a prospective follow-up of women planning to conceive, benzene exposure was associated with reduced fecundability after adjusting for other solvents and potential confounders. In a study of birth outcomes who delivered a baby during the study period, exposure to benzene and other solvents were associated with a statistically significant reduction of birth weight adjusting for gestational age and other confounders. Although the levels of exposures were below the limit regulated by OSHA and recommended by NIOSH, our studies show that even low-level occupational exposure to benzene and other organic solvents is linked to a broad spectrum of adverse reproductive outcomes including menstrual disorders, spontaneous abortion, birth weight and decreased fecundability. These results suggest that the exposures need to be more strictly monitored among employees who are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Keywords	Occupational exposure Petrochemicals Occupational safety and health Risk assessment Organic solvents Benzene Oil refineries Reproductive outcomes Adverse reproductive outcomes
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Corporate Authors	Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	200418