Effects of exposure to organic solvents on menstrual cycle length.
To investigate the association between organic solvent exposure and menstrual disturbance, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 1408 petrochemical workers in China. Based on an industrial hygiene evaluation, we classified the workshops according to the presence or absence of organic solvents (benzene, styrene, toluene, or xylene). We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for prolonged menstrual cycle length (oligomenorrhea: average cycle length > 35 days during the previous year) associated with the exposure. After adjustment for confounders, each additional year of work in an exposed workshop was associated with a 7% increase in oligomenorrhea (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.14). Compared with no exposure, 3 or more years of exposure was associated with a 53% increase in oligomenorrhea (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 2.34). We concluded that exposure to organic solvents is associated with a trend toward increased frequency of oligomenorrhea.
Cho
S I
SI
Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, FXB-101, Boston, MA 02115-6096, USA.
Damokosh
A I
AI
Ryan
L M
LM
Chen
D
D
Hu
Y A
YA
Smith
T J
TJ
Christiani
D C
DC
Xu
X
X
D000328:Adult; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors
D001555:Benzene Derivatives