Authors
Lawson-CC; Schnorr-TM; Daston-GP; Grajewski-B; Marcus-M; McDiarmid-M; Murono-E; Perreault-SD; Schrader-SM; Shelby-M
Source
Environ Health Perspect 2003 Apr; 111(4):584-592
Abstract
There is a significant public health concern about the potential effects of occupational exposure to toxic substances on reproductive outcomes. Several toxicants with reported reproductive and developmental effects are still in regular commercial or therapeutic use and thus present potential exposure to workers. Examples of these include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and herbicides, and sterilants, anesthetic gases, and anticancer drugs used in health care. Many other substances are suspected of producing reproductive or developmental toxicity but lack sufficient data. Progress has been limited in identifying hazards and quantifying their potencies and in separating the contribution of these hazards from other etiologic factors. Identifying the causative agents, mechanisms by which they act, and any potential target populations, present the opportunity to intervene and protect the reproductive health of workers. The pace of laboratory studies to identify hazards and to underpin the biologic plausibility of effects in humans has not matched the pace at which new chemicals are introduced into commerce. Though many research challenges exist today, recent technologic and methodologic advances have been made that allow researchers to overcome some of these obstacles. The objective of this article is to recommend future directions in occupational reproductive health research. By bridging interdisciplinary gaps, the scientific community can work together to improve health and reduce adverse outcomes.
Keywords
Toxic-effects; Reproductive-effects; Reproductive-hazards; Reproductive-system; Reproductive-system-disorders; Occupational-exposure; Environmental-exposure; Information-retrieval-systems
Contact
C.C. Lawson, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 5555 Ridge Avenue, MS R-15, Cincinnati, OH 45226 USA.
CAS No.
7439-92-1; 7440-43-9; 108-88-3; 75-01-4; 106-93-4; 96-12-8; 110-80-5; 75-15-0; 7439-93-2; 7439-97-6
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
clawson@cdc.gov
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS; DART; HELD
Priority Area
NORA Implementation
Source Name
Environmental Health Perspectives