Reproductive and developmental hazard management guidance: ACOEM Task Force on Reproductive Toxicology

Effect of occupational exposure to vat-textile dyes on follicular and luteal hormones in female dye workers in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Background

Some synthetic dyes used mainly in textile industries have been associated with endocrine disruption, resulting in infertility, among other disorders. It is unknown if occupational exposure to Vat textile dyes among premenopausal dyers alters hormonal levels.

Objectives

We aimed at determining the probable effects of occupational exposure to Vat dyes on reproductive hormones of female textile dyers in the follicular and luteal phases while relating this to age categories and duration of exposure.

Methods

Thirty-three premenopausal Vat textile dyers at "Itoku", Abeokuta, Nigeria, among a population of about 80 female dyers were age and sex-matched with 55 non-exposed (control) female participants. Using semi-structured questionnaires, socio-demographic, occupational details and the LMP of participants were obtained. Serum samples were collected in follicular and luteal phases and assayed for female sex hormones using Enzyme Immunoassay. Mann-Whitney U and Z- statistic were used for comparison of the two groups. P-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results

In the follicular phase, the result showed a lower mean FSH ranking (in age category ≤20 years) and higher (p<0.05) Estradiol ranking (in age category 31-40 years) in the exposed than the unexposed. Mean ranks of Progesterone and Estradiol in the luteal phase (age category 31-40 years) were higher (p<0.05) in the exposed, while Estradiol (age category ≥41years) ranked lower (p<0.05). Prolactin demonstrated a significant inverse relationship with the duration of exposure.

Conclusion

Occupational exposure to Vat dye among female dyers in Abeokuta is associated with some sex hormone disruption which appears to be age and duration of exposure-related.

Medical Surveillance for Hazardous Drugs: A Qualitative Assessment of Current Practices

OBJECTIVE

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that institutions establish a medical surveillance program for workers who handle hazardous drugs. Our aim was to investigate current practices with occupational medicine practice (OMP) national leaders.

METHODS

A series of qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with 11 OMP national leaders from medical centers in 10 states. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using a directed content analysis. Codes were organized into themes.

RESULTS

All respondents were board-certified physicians in medical center OMP. Interviews up to 45 minutes found three themes: policy interpretation, benefits and barriers to surveillance, and potential respondent-generated solutions. Three of 10 medical centers provided medical surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical surveillance for hazardous drugs is infrequent, and consensus is lacking regarding standard practices. Further work is needed to minimize risk to health care workers.

Clinical guidelines for occupational lifting in pregnancy: evidence summary and provisional recommendations

Empirically based lifting criteria established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries in the general US working population were evaluated for application to pregnant workers. This report proposes criteria to guide decisions by medical providers about permissible weights for lifting tasks performed at work over the course of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Our evaluation included an extensive review of the literature linking occupational lifting to maternal and fetal health. Although it has been 29 years since the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs published its report on the Effects of Pregnancy on Work Performance, these guidelines continue to influence clinical decisions and workplace policies. Provisional clinical guidelines derived from the NIOSH lifting criteria that account for recent evidence for maternal and fetal health are presented and aim to improve the standard of care for pregnant workers.