Occupational health survey on workers exposed to 2-bromopropane at low concentrations.
BACKGROUND
Recent case studies in Korea and animal studies revealed the reproductive and hematopoietic toxicity of 2-bromopropane introduced into workplaces as an alternative to ozone-layer depleting chlorofluorocarbons. We aimed to clarify the dose-effect relationship of 2-bromopropane in workers.


METHODS
The exposure concentration of 2-bromopropane and hematological indices, hormonal levels, menstruation status, and sperm indices were examined in 25 workers (11 males, 14 females) at a 2-bromopropane factory. Regression analyses of the examined indices against time-weighted average (TWA) of exposure concentration were conducted.


RESULTS
Amenorrhea or polymenorrhea was observed only in older females. Hematological indices had a significant relation with TWA of exposure concentration in females with normal menstruation. However, no other indices showed any significant relation with TWA of 2-bromopropane.


CONCLUSIONS
No severe cases of reproductive or hematopoietic disorders were found at less than 10 ppm (TWA), but a possible adverse effect of 2-bromopropane on hematopoiesis could not be disproved.
Ichihara
G
G
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. gak@tsuru.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Ding
X
X
Yu
X
X
Wu
X
X
Kamijima
M
M
Peng
S
S
Jiang
X
X
Takeuchi
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D009153:Mutagens; D012997:Solvents; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; C103736:2-bromopropane