Reproductive Outcomes in the Women of the Red River Valley of the North. I. The Spouses of Pesticide Applicators: Pregnancy Loss, Age at Menarche, and Exposures to Pesticides

Abstract

In the current study, there was a modest but significant increase in risk (1.6- to 2-fold) for miscarriages and/or fetal loss occurring throughout the year in the spouses of applicators who use fungicides. There is a surprisingly significant deficit in the number of male children born to the spouses of fungicide applicators. First-trimester miscarriages occur most frequently in the spring, during the time when herbicides are applied. Use of sulfonylurea (odds ratio OR = 2.1), imidizolinone (OR = 2.6) containing herbicides, and the herbicide combination Cheyenne (OR = 2.9) by male applicators was statistically associated with increased miscarriage risk in the spring. Limited survey data from women who are the spouses of applicators did not show major alterations of long-term endocrinologic status (menarche, menopause, endometriosis). With regard to personal pesticide exposures, only women who engaged in pesticide application where there is direct exposure to these products are at demonstrable risk (OR = 1.8) for miscarriage. It was hypothesized that the overall reproductive toxicity observed in this population is, for the greater part, a male-mediated event. Clarification of exposure events leading to reproductive toxicity through direct measurements of exposure in both men and women is needed to resolve this issue.

Birth defects, season of conception, and sex of children born to pesticide applicators living in the Red River Valley of Minnesota, USA.

“…In the present, smaller-scale but more detailed study, fungicide use by the male pesticide applicator parent was associated with fewer male births, most significant among children with birth defects. Similarly, the spouse of the pesticide applicator who applied or used fungicides on the farmstead is at a significantly higher risk for a first trimester miscarriage (4). The majority of these fungicide applications cited were conducted by air.…”

“…Live births and children with birth defects were defined by written survey. Findings regarding pregnancy losses, including miscarriages, are discussed elsewhere (4). In the present effort, birth defects occurring in a total of 1,532 live births were considered in these analyses.…”

Spontaneous miscarriages and infant deaths among female farmers in rural South Africa

“…Pesticide exposure among men has been associated with increased sperm abnormalities (13), while studies have reported spontaneous miscarriages among pesticide-exposed women (6,14). Birth defects have been reported in cases where either men or women were exposed to pesticides (15,16).…”

“…Occupational exposures and activities are increasingly linked to adverse reproductive outcomes in working populations (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Occupational exposures associated with adverse reproductive outcomes include increased risks for spontaneous miscarriages among (i) healthcare workers exposed to chemicals including disinfectants, antineoplastic, and anesthetic drugs and (ii) women in industry exposed to heavy metals and solvents (9).…”

Proceedings of the Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility: executive summary

“…Working with or applying pesticides, primarily in agricultural and horticultural settings, appears to consistently reduce fertility and fecundability (147)(148)(149)(150)(151)(152). Preconception exposure, but not exposure during pregnancy (153), appears to elevate risk for spontaneous abortion (154).…”