Reproductive outcomes among male and female workers at an aluminum smelter.
OBJECTIVE
Several adverse pregnancy outcomes were reported among female laboratory workers in a North American aluminum smelter. To determine whether these outcomes were associated with any occupational exposure at the plant, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken.


METHODS
Rates of miscarriage, premature singleton birth, and major congenital anomaly occurring during employment were compared with a reference group comprised of all pregnancies that occurred before employment.


RESULTS
Among female workers, the excess of congenital anomalies among female laboratory workers that defined the initial cluster was observed, but no specific pattern was found.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of these analyses, the increase in congenital anomalies could not be attributed to occupational exposures at the smelter nor could potential exposure likely explain the diverse anomalies described.
Sakr
Carine J
CJ
Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. carine.sakr@yale.edu
Taiwo
Oyebode A
OA
Galusha
Deron H
DH
Slade
Martin D
MD
Fiellin
Martha G
MG
Bayer
Felicia
F
Savitz
David A
DA
Cullen
Mark R
MR
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008669:Metallurgy; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce
D000535:Aluminum