| Disorders of reproduction include birth defects, developmental
disorders, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, preterm birth, and
various other disorders affecting offspring; they also include reduced
fertility, impotence, and menstrual disorders. Infertility is currently
estimated to affect more than 2 million U.S. couples (one in 12 couples
find themselves unable to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse).
Though not all infertile couples seek treatment, it is estimated that
about $1 billion was spent in 1987 on health care related to infertility.
In 1991, physician visits for infertility services numbered 1.7 million.
Although numerous occupational exposures have been demonstrated to impair
fertility (e.g., lead, some pesticides, and solvents), the overall contribution
of occupational exposures to male and female infertility is unknown. Moreover,
observed global trends in men's decreasing sperm counts have elevated
concerns about the role of chemicals encountered at work and in the environment
at large.
NIOSHTIC-2 Search
NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Reproductive Health
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
NORA Reproductive Health Research Team
 The
goal of the NORA
Reproductive Health Research team (1996 - 2006) was to define and implement a national
occupational reproductive research agenda for the next decade. The process
to achieve this goal involved identifying critical research needs and
mechanisms to promote, leverage, and facilitate research in the following
priority topic areas:
- Surveillance - Encourage existing surveillance systems to collect/analyze occupational exposure data.
- Field Studies - Make better use of animal studies and workplace exposure information to prioritize substances for epidemiologic studies.
- Toxicology Studies - Conduct studies to better understand basic mechanisms, extrapolate animal data to humans, utilize biomarkers, and understand mixed exposures.
- NORA Team Publications
Other Resources
Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
External Link: http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov
The Center provides scientifically-based, uniform assessments of the potential for adverse effects on reproduction and development caused by agents to which humans may be exposed. This is accomplished through rigorous evaluations of the scientific literature by independent panels of scientists.
CERHR's links page
of Scientific and Women's Health Sites
External Link: http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/links
The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction's links page.
March of Dimes
External Link: http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Information on the prevention of birth defects
Motherisk
External Link: http://www.motherisk.org/
The Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto was
created in 1985 to provide evidence-based information and guidance concerning
potential risks to the developing fetus or infant, from exposure to drugs,
chemicals, diseases, radiation and environmental agents.
National Center on Birth
Defects and Developmental Disabilities
The center promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances
the potential for full, productive living. Their work includes identifying
the causes of birth defects, developmental disabilities, and helping children
to develop and reach their full potential.
Organization
of Teratology Information Services (OTIS)
External Link: http://www.otispregnancy.org
Teratology is the study of the effects that drugs, medications, chemicals
and other exposures may have on the fetus. Teratology Information Services
(TIS) are comprehensive and multidisciplinary resources for medical consultation
on prenatal exposures. TIS interpret information regarding known and potential
reproductive risks into risk assessments that are communicated to individuals
of reproductive age and health care providers.
Society for the Study of Reproduction
External Link: http://www.ssr.org/
Promotes the study of human and animal reproduction as it relates to medicine,
agriculture, and basic biology.
Teratology Society
External Link:http://www.teratology.org/
The Teratology Society is a multidisciplinary scientific society founded
in 1960, the members of which study the causes and biological processes
leading to abnormal development and birth defects at the fundamental and
clinical level, and appropriate measures for prevention.
The American Society of Andrology's Resource List (Men's Health)
External Link: http://www.andrologysociety.com/resources/relatedlinks.asp/
Contains member links, andrology links, job postings, and more...
NIOSH Resources
Prolonged
Riding Linked to Decrease in Erectile Measure in Bicycle Patrol Officers
Contains links to a HETA report and a Journal article about decreased
erectile measure in Bicycle Patrol Officers and more...
The Flight Crew Research Program at NIOSH
In partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Cancer Institute, the HHS Office of Women’s Health and the Department of Defense Women’s Health Research Program, NIOSH has established a program of research in the U.S. flight crew occupational group. Studies are underway to characterize exposures in the aircraft cabin environment and to examine a variety of health effects in flight attendants and pilots.
Bicycle Saddles and Reproductive Health
NIOSH researchers have investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units, including the possibility that some bicycle saddles exert excessive pressure on the urogenital area of cyclists, restricting blood flow to the genitals.
NIOSH Alert: Preventing
Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and other Hazardous Drugs in
Healthcare Settings
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2004-165 (2004)
The purpose of this Alert is to increase awareness among healthcare workers
and their employers about the health risks posed by working with hazardous
drugs and to provide them with measures for protecting their health.
Reproductive Health - Developing Partnerships in the Study of Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2002-152
 PDF only 660 KB (1 page)
One page sheet describing the types of research and the advantages of partnering with NIOSH.
The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 99-104 (1999)
En
Español
Describes reproductive hazards for female workers, the function of the female reproductive system, what hazards might be caused by workplace exposures and more...
Protecting Workers Exposed to Lead-Based Paint Hazards: A Report to Congress
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 98-112 (1997)
Current information is summarized in this report regarding the health effects of occupational lead exposures, high-risk exposure settings, surveillance and intervention capabilities, and methods for control, sampling and analysis of lead exposures. This report also provides recommendations for reducing hazardous occupational lead abatement exposures.
The Effects of Workplace Hazards
on Male Reproductive Health
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 96-132 (1997)
En
Español
Describes reproductive hazards for male workers, the function of the male
reproductive system, what hazards might be caused by workplace exposures
and more...
NIOSH ALERT - Controlling Exposures to Nitrous Oxide During Anesthetic Administration
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 94-100 (1994)
This Alert presents control measures for preventing or greatly reducing exposure to N2O during the administration of anesthetic gas. These control measures should be part of a comprehensive written safety and health plan for workers.
NIOSH Update: Body Clock Disruption,
Linked With Travel Across Time Zones, Seen in Study of Flight Attendants (October 16, 2003)
Information about a NIOSH study that shows disruptions in circadian rhythm
in female flight attendants.
The Glycol Ethers, with Particular Reference to 2-Methoxyethanol and 2-Ethoxyethanol: Evidence of Adverse Reproductive Effects
NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 39 (1983)
NIOSH recommends that 2-methoxyethanol (2ME) and 2-ethoxyethanol (2EE) be regarded in the workplace as having the potential to cause adverse reproductive effects in male and female workers. These recommendations are based on the results of several recent studies that have demonstrated dose-related embryotoxicity and other reproductive effects in several species of animals exposed by different routes of administration.
Health Hazard Evaluations
Health Hazard Program Information
- Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0305-2848, City of Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach, California
PDF
only 234 KB (11 pages)
- Health Hazard Evaluation Report, HETA-2000-0410-2891, STN Cushion Company, Thomasville, North Carolina
PDF
only 353 KB (54 pages)
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