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Reproductive outcomes among male and female workers at an aluminum smelter
Carine J Sakr1, Oyebode A Taiwo, Deron H Galusha
1Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. carine.sakr@yale.edu
Objectives:
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.
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