title: Shortened menstrual cycles in LCD manufacturing workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many chemical agents used in liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturing have been evaluated in animal studies of female reproductive toxicity. Knowledge of their reproductive toxicity in humans is scant.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of organic solvents on menstrual cycle characteristics of workers in LCD manufacturing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of female premenopausal workers in an LCD plant in Taiwan. Menstrual cycle characteristics were assessed from self-administered questionnaires, and chemical exposure was assessed using hand-held volatile organic compound (VOC) monitors with 24h canister sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a response rate of 94%, and the final study population after exclusions was 288. Canister sampling found many chemical compounds with potential reproductive effects in the fabrication areas of the plant. Concentrations of total VOC were higher in the panel and module fabrication areas than in other areas of the plant. The prevalence of short menstrual cycles (>24 days) was higher in panel workers (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-39.15) and module workers (adjusted OR: 8.38; 95% CI: 1.72-40.95) than in array fabrication workers and office workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found evidence for a possible link between repeated exposure to multiple organic solvents such as ethanol and acetone and increased prevalence of short menstrual cycles in premenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene,  National Taiwan University College of Public Health,  Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C-N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Y-H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: J-D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S-P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: R-H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Shie
authors.forename: P-C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D050866:Liquid Crystals; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds