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Eduardo E. Castilla,^1,2 Hebe Campaña,³ Jorge S. López Camelo,³ and the ECLAMC ECOTERAT Group*

¹ECLAMC (Latin-American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Birth Defects), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
²ECLAMC, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
³ECLAMC, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Celular, La Plata, Argentina

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the association between industrial activity and the occurrence of 34 congenital anomalies. We selected 21 counties in Argentina during 1982-1994 and examined a total of 614,796 births in these counties in consecutive series. We used the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (United Nations, 1968) as an indicator of exposure to 80 specific industrial activities. Incidence rate ratios for each congenital anomaly were adjusted by the socioeconomic level of the county according to a census index of social deprivation. For a given exposure/anomaly association to be considered as significant and relevant, the exposure had to be a statistically significant risk for the occurrence of the anomaly and an increase in the birth prevalence rate of the congenital anomaly type involved had to be observed in those counties where the putative causal activity was being performed. Significant associations (p < 0.01) were identified between textile industry and anencephaly, and between the manufacture of engines and turbines and microcephaly. These observations are consistent with previous reports on occupational exposure, and their further investigation by means of case-control studies is recommended. Key words: anencephaly, automotive industry, congenital anomaly, fur-dyeing, industrial activity, pes equinovarus, textile. Environ Health Perspect 108:193-197 (2000) . [Online 19 January, 2000]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p193-197castilla/ abstract.html

Address correcpondence to E.E. Castilla, Genetica/ Fiocruz, ECLAMA, CP 926, Rio de Janeiro 20001-970 Brazil. Telephone: 55 21 552 8952. Fax: 55 21 260 4282. E-mail: castilla@centroin.com.br

*The ECLAMC ECOTERAT Group includes A. Echegaray, Maternidad Provincial, Córdoba ; C. Alazard, Hospital del Centenario, Gualeguaychú ; C. de Rosas, Hospital Italiano, Mendoza ; C. Negri, Hospital Ferrupato, San Martín ; C. Picón, Hospital Perrando, Resistencia ; C. Saleme. Maternidad de Tucumán, Tucumán ; C. Rivelis, Hospital San Roque, Paraná ; J.C. Mereb, Hospital de Area, El Bolsón ; L. Salgado, Hospital Melendez, Adrogué ; M. Mussi, Maternidad Martin, Rosario ; M. Lerner, Hospital del Centenario, Gualeguaychú ; M. Rittler, Maternidad Sardá, Buenos Aires ; M. Roubicek, Hospital de la Comunidad, Mar del Plata ; R. Lombardelli, Hospital Zonal, Esquel ; and S. Morales, Maternidad Martin, Rosario.

This study was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires of Argentina, the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico of Brazil, and the Programa de Apoio a Pesquisa Estratégica em Saúde da Fiocruz, of Brazil.

Received 26 May 1999 ; accepted 14 September 1999.