Effects of metallic mercury on the perimenstrual symptoms and menstrual outcomes of exposed workers.
BACKGROUND
Mercury is an important environmental and industrial pollutant and its effect on perimenstrual symptoms and menstrual outcomes is unclear.


METHODS
A retrospective epidemiological investigation was conducted on 296 female workers exposed to mercury vapor and 394 female workers from food processing plants. Both groups included women of 18-44 years of age currently working since last at least 1 year when studied. Women who were currently pregnant, using oral contraceptives (Ocs), an intrauterine device (IUD), and steroid hormones were excluded.


RESULTS
The air concentration of mercury in the workplace ranged from 0.001-0.200 mg/m(3). The prevalence of abdominal pain in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% CI is 1.03-2.11). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group (OR = 1.66, 95% CI is 1.07-2.59).


CONCLUSIONS
An increased prevalence of abnormal menstruation was found in mercury-exposed workers in China. Dysmenorrhea may be a useful biomarker for assessing female exposure to mercury occupationally. These observations suggest that further studies and preventive measures are warranted.
Yang
Jian-Ming
JM
Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. jyang@scripps.edu
Chen
Qiong-Yu
QY
Jiang
Xue-Zhi
XZ
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D008628:Mercury