Occupational and environmental risks of spontaneous abortions around a smelter.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study represents part of a follow-up study on reproductive outcome around a smelter in Sweden.

METHODS:

Employees at the smelter, a random sample including neighbors of the smelter and referents were analyzed by a register study, covering 1982-1990, a questionnaire study performed in 1992 and a case-referent study with cases of spontaneous abortions and live borns as referents. Risk factors were studied by logistic regression. A validity-study between register and questionnaire data on spontaneous abortions and legal abortions was completed.

RESULTS:

The studies showed no risk increase for the exposed groups of smelter workers and neighbors compared to the reference group, 10, 11, and 12%, respectively. A validation of the data on abortions between register and questionnaire data showed good agreement.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found no increase of spontaneous abortion associated to smelter work or to living close to the smelter which could be a result of radically reduced emissions.

• Authors: Marianne Wulff, Ulf Högberg, Hans Stenlund
• Journal: American journal of industrial medicine (Am J Ind Med) Vol. 41 Issue 2 Pg. 131-8 (Feb 2002) ISSN: 0271-3586 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11813218 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Topics

• Abortion, Spontaneous (epidemiology, etiology)
• Adult
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Life Style
• Logistic Models
• Metallurgy
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Pregnancy
• Risk Factors
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Sweden (epidemiology)
• Vital Statistics