Spontaneous abortions among women exposed to organic solvents

Abstract

We investigated the association between medically diagnosed spontaneous abortions and occupational exposure to organic solvents. The study population was composed of women biologically monitored for solvents. The workers were classified into exposure categories on the basis of work description and the use of solvents as reported in the questionnaires, and on biological exposure measurements. The odds ratio of spontaneous abortion for solvent exposure, adjusted for potentially confounding factors, was significantly increased (2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-4.1). The increase was most consistent among workers exposed to aliphatic hydrocarbons: the odds ratio for high exposure was 3.9 (95% CI = 1.1-14.2) and for exposed graphics workers 5.2 (95% CI = 1.3-20.8). The odds ratio was increased also among toluene-exposed shoe workers (9.3, 95% CI = 1.0-84.7). The results of the study support the hypothesis of a positive association between spontaneous abortion and exposure to organic solvents during pregnancy and suggest that exposure, especially to aliphatic hydrocarbons, increases the risk of abortion.

Work-related Reproductive, Musculoskeletal and Mental Disorders among Working Women-History, Current Issues and Future Research Directions.

“…Pregnancy outcome: Increased abortions in parents of textile workers 17) , semiconductor workers exposed to ethylene glycol 18,19) and workers exposed to organic solvents [20][21][22] have been reported. The number of fetuses small for gestational age was reported to increase among working women exposed to organic solvents 23) and hair dressers 24) .…”

Expressing urine from a gel disposable diaper for biomonitoring using phthalates as an example

“…Occupational exposure of the mother to a variety of agents during pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous abortion in epidemiological studies. For example, maternal exposure to organic solvents has been associated with spontaneous abortion in several studies (Pastides et al, 1988;Taskinen et al, 1989;Lindbohm et al, 1990;Lipscomb et al, 1991;Windham et al, 1991;Schenker et al, 1995). However, a meta-analysis of five of these studies resulted in a non-significant odds ratio (McMartin et al, 1998).…”

An Investigation of Reproductive Health Outcomes and Potential Risk Factors in Air Force Women

“…2 " 5 More importantly, methodologic differences in civilian studies contribute to contradictory reports on the effects of maternal job-related activity and occupational exposures on pregnancy outcomes. Occupational stress, 23 ' 24 increased physical exertion and prolonged standing 6 ' 25-29 and exposures to toxicants, 30 " 32 have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, these associations were often based on comparisons between employed and unemployed women where the choice of a suitable control group is difficult, and often results in an observed "healthy worker effect," 17 -33 " 35 primarily because employed women have higher SES and income, and better health care coverage than unemployed women.…”

“…A-241 "Hours per/week/month/quarter/year" "WEEK" "MONTH" "QUARTER" "YEAR" "Contact's street address line 2" CoCity String [30] "City" CoState String [2] "STATE" CoZip String [5] "Zip code" CoHPhone String [12] "Home phone number" CoWPhone String [12] "Work phone number" CoRelat String [50] "Relationship to the respondent" Nl_OVRQL 1 2 3 4 "Overall quality of the interview" "HIGH QUALITY" "GENERALLY RELIABLE" "QUESTIONABLE" "UNSATISFACTORY" A-289 [12] 'Phone number to reach the respondent" TimeZone String [2] "Time zone"…”