Document DDzr0JnBXLMVox84ngnLa2ZBO

7^/e ' (U'-kCr~,dc * Zltlhuls M. StIJkel A MU - VerlUrk HM AU - van de Po1-Bot H Mr*"SiJ KS StuTI - Plastic Mononers m1 fwala Wuikn*s <w Occupatlenal Exposure tc Chemical Agents, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pages 42-47, 18 references, 1984 6 Plastic Monomers Mjcromolecular plastics are.built from- monomolecular compounds --monomers. From the multitude of monomers five compounds will be discussed, for which evidence 'suggestive of adverse effects on women and or offspring has been reported. This limitation to five compounds in no. way suggests that exposure to monomers not discussed does not carry any extra risk for women and/or offspring, but rather that no data were available for others. 6.1 Vinyl Chloride Downs et al. (1977)critically reviewed the available literature on vinyl chloride (VCM). Only those data are discussed which suggest adverse effects on the offspring of occupationally exposed women or on the offspring'of parents exposed to VCM'in the ambiem environment. In the Iasi case, it is not possible to distinguish between effects through exposure offather or mother. .Evidence suggestive ofadverse effects on Offspring due to occupational exposureof the father is not discussed. ~- Edmonds et al.flJSA, 1975) studied the incidence of congenital abnormalities of the central nervoussystem (mainly anencephaly andspsha bifidaj'froth 197t>to 197416 thins: cities irr which PVC plants were situated; the ^tate of;Obio served as control. The data were'obtained from hospitals which partidpated in the Birth Defects Monitoring Program (BD'M P). The incidence of neonates'with Andfmilitles.was higherIn the three towns than in the state as a whole. In Paincsville one hoipitaj had registered 15 cases; live births directly before and after each case Served as cootrols. No case parents, but two control fathers had been working in ilje PVC factory.at. t-hetjmrof birth'; significantly, fewer case mothers than control mothers worked within K)-miles of the. factory. Therefore, evidence for a relationship with VCM exposure .did not exist. Edmonds carried out another study (1977)-of the incidence' of congenital abnormalities of .the ' central.nervous system (CNS) in 17 areas withP-YCplams and with at least- one BDMP hospital; controls were always drawn from rhe, whole state. Again,, no relationship .between supposed ambient exposure to VCM and the incidence of congenital abnormalities of the CNS was observed.1 However, if the investigator had compared towns with PVC plants and towns without such plants the design would have been more sensitive. ., Infante (USA, 1976) and Infante et al. (LfSA 1976a. 1976b) studied the incidence of congenital abnormalities in three cities with PVC plants (Paincsville, Ashtabula, Avon Lakel, and compared this with the incidence in the whole area, in the whole state (Ohio), and in ten cities of comparable size for the period 1970-1973. The data,as regrouped by NOTICE THtS ""SSSJSPtlw PROTECTED BT COPYIST ^ (TITLE 17 O.S. CODE) COA-5 Downs et al. (1977), arc presented in 'relativerisks (RR) in the three cities stillborn neonates the RR for conger 2.97 (observed 25. expected 8.42). Dc in each of the three cities with thosi way possible differences in life sty minimized to a large extent. A si Paincsville, and in two control citie Conclusions. The available data do congenital abnormalities in the offsp ana consequently with possible lo> available on health risks to offsprin 6.2 Styrene Zlobina et al. (USSR. 1975) studied 'tyrene on the female'reproductive s> ayrene (and simultaneously to other suggestive of adverse effects on me women studied by Zlobina et al.. wo was below 5 mg/mJ and the temper Women from the personnel departmc controls: they were reported to be . women. The data are summarized in obstetric "history, and/thc health effr appeared to be.excessively high in b (1975)also exposed female rats to 1.0 Table 10, Incidence of congenital abnormal*: lo VCM i Down, et 'at 1977) Irea Number , mill con-,-, abnormal UXJO toe Ohio state 111.14 Ashtabula IPVC plant) and ivio surrounding cities r7 4 16.1 Paincsville (PVC plant 1 and five surrounding cities IS.t 3.7 Avon Lake iPVC pjanitund three surrounding ernes .:o.3 HI OLI 3062 xomolecular compounds--monomers, ids will be discussed, for which evidence or offspring has been reported. This cests that exposure to monomers not Tien and or offspring, but rather that no lable literature on vinyl chloride (VCM). :st adverse effects on the offspring of pring of parents exposed to VCM in the >t possible'to distinguish between effects suceestiv e of adverse effects on offspring not discussed. dence of congenital abnormalities of the _td spina bifida)from 1970 to 1974 m three ate of Ohio served as control. The data 8ted in the Birth Defects Monitoring vith abnormalities was higher in the three ille one hospital had registered 15 cases, rved as controls. No case parents, but two factory at the time of birth: significant!) worked within 10 miles of the factor) VCM exposure did not exist. Edmonds Jence of congenita! abnormalities of the PVC plants and with at least one BDMT the whole state. Again, no relationship v'CM and the incidence of congenita1 iwever. if the investigator had comparer :h plants the design would have been more -.A 1976a. 1976b) studied the incidence of PVC plants (Painesville, Ashtabula, Avon n the whole area, in the whole state (Ohioi, riod 1970-1973. The data, as regrouped b> Styrene 43 Downs et al. (1977), are presented in Table 10. The study by Infante et al. focused on the relative risks (RR) in the three cities as compared with the entire state: for live-born and stillborn neonates the RR for congenital abnormalities of the central neTvous system was 2.97 (observed 25, expected 8.42). Downs et al. (1977), however, compared the incidences in each of the three cities with (hose in surrounding cities without PVC plants: in this way possible differences in life style, ambient factors, and other confounders were minimized to a large extent. A significantly increased incidence was observed in Painesville. and in two control cities (Geneva, North Ridgeville). Conclusions. The available data do not provide any evidence of an increased risk of congenital abnormalities in the offspring of parents who live in towns with PVC plants, and consequently with possible low-level ambient exposure to VCM. No data arc available on health risks to offspring of occupationally exposed women. 6.2 Styrene Zlobina et al. (USSR, 1975) studied the effects of low-level occupational exposure to styrene on the female reproductive system. In women exposed to high concentrations of styrene (and simultaneously to other chemicals) evidence had previously been reported suggestive of adverse effects on menstruation and on pregnancy. The 110 exposed women studied by Zlobina et a)., worked in a polystyrene production plant; exposure was below 5 mg/m3 and the temperature was 37 '-38 :C for about 50% of the lime. Women from the personnel department and women who cared for children served as 231 controls: they were reported to be of the same socioeconomic level as the exposed women. The data are summarized in Table 11. No information is presented on age and obstetric history, and the health effects were not defined: the incidence of toxicosis appeared to be excessively high in both the exposed and the controls. Zlobina et al. (1975) also exposed female rats to 1.0 0.2 or 5.0 0.4 mg styrene/m3 for 4 months (24 h Table 10. Incidence of congenital abnormalities in 13 cities in relationship to possible ambient exposure 10 VCM (Downs et al. 1977| Are* Number of neonates with congenital abnormalities per 1000 live births Number of live births P Ohio state 10.14 719 287 Ashtabula (PVC plant) and two surrounding cities 17.4 16.1 1900 1429 <0.90 Painesville (PVC plant 1 and five surrounding cities 18.1 5.7 1381 7 762 <0.001 Avon Lake (PVC plami and three surrounding cities 20.3 12.1 738 12 330 <0.10 OLI 3063 44 Plastic Monomers Table II. Incidence of effects on menstruation and pregnancy in women occupationally exposed to styrene iZIobina et al. 1975) Ec n-110 3 1 -*u Diseased uterus and adnexa Disturbed menstruation Tomcoms (first half of pregnancy i Toxicosis (second half of pregnancy) and nephropathy 12.7% 29.7% 67 *9 2% 10.4% 4.7% 9.1% n = 70 18.5% 14% E. exposed: C. controls per day ?); the estrous cycle and estrus proper were lengthened in the animals exposed to the higher concentration. Hemminki et al. (Finland. 19S0) reported an increased incidence of abortion iRR 1.52.5. P<0,01) in female workers exposed to styrene as compared with the general population; however the RR was based upon only six cases(for further details, see Chap. 15). Holmberg (Finland. 19771 carried out a case-control study based upon the Finnish registry of congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system: 43 cases were reported between June 1. 1976 and March 1. 1977; infants born in the same district directly prior to the cases reported served as controls. Two of the 43 case mothers and none of the control mothers had worked in the reinforced plastics industry (exposure to about 200 mg styrene/m3, as well as to polyester resin, organic peroxides, and acetone). The prevalence of anencephaly and hydrocephalus in Finland was 0.5 per 1000 live births. During the study period about 400 women (250 considered fertile) worked in the reinforced plastics industry; there were about 65 live births per 1000 women per year in Finland, i. e,, per 250 women, 16 births per year are expected. The expected number of births was 12 in 9 months. When among these 12 births two congenital CNS abnormalities occur, this might suggest a more than 300-fold (however, not yet statistically significant) increase in risk. The author also discovered a third case: in the 7th month of pregnancy a 20-year-old woman gave birth to an anencephalic neonate. On six difTerent occasions during her pregnancy she had been exposed to styrene, polyester resin, and organic peroxides while her husband was renovating the kitchen with reinforced plastic; however, diabetes could also have constributed to the anomaly. More recently, Harkonen and Holinberg (Finland. 1982) assessed the obstetric histories of women occupationally exposed to styrene. They compared 67 women working in the reinforced plastics industry and exposed to styrene with 67 age-matched controls working in textile and food production without obvious chemical exposure; the women ranged in age from 19 to 40 years (mean 30 + 6 and 31.5 respectively), and the duration of exposure to styrene was 0.5-10 years (mean 4.5 2.6). Interviews were held during 1979 and 1980. The obstetric histories were divided according to the period before and the period during exposure to styrene (302 person-years ofexposure). Prior to styrene exposure the number of women with pregnancies, births, spontaneous tbortions. and induced abortions did >1 births for the styrene exposure pert nd 14 in the reference group. Th significantly different from theexpectc PcO.Ol), The number of spontanei ttduced abortions were reported for t assumed that the average exposure .\\ er number of births in the exposed t imber of induced abortions: morec regnancy was less favorable in this t. . tmclusions. There is no conclusive i .'Meet on menstruation. One study sue Mhers. of congenital abnormalities (t\ .seal any effect on the incidence of '.3 Caprolactam Metros (USSR, 1977) compared absc \posed to carbon disulfide (group 1.1 .'.posed to caprolactam and dinyl (g Vmales (group III, n = 2575). No data latus were presented; exposure to cap Most sickness absenteeism occurred a pregnancy, illness of children, and/or! ascular disturbances than did groups .aprolactam. Twice as many skin disc and II experienced more complicated croup III. This study presents too litt Martynova et al. (USSR. 1972) e between 1955 and 1969; before 1964 caprolactam/m3; between and 1966 th exposed women (76.5; below 40 years t'as 2.5 times higher than among 600 xv ith duration of exposure (58.80>5 make this clear. Nadezdhina and Tal disturbed menstruation in 170 women exposure to benzene, cyclohexanon. i roethyiene might also have occurred. T served as controls. At first the MAC fo samples, later in only 5?,,. Disturbed n painful menstruation for 19.4"; an Lengthening of the desquamative phas the exposed. In the groups with highes; increased. Timoshenko and Petrov (U^ menstruation among 321 women expo OLI 3064 T m women occupational!) exposed to C 0 n*=231 >7"., 9 l",, n w 70 18 5",, 1 4"., : lengthened in the animals exposed to reused incidence of abortion (RR 1.5renc as compared with the general six cases (for further details, see Chap, control study based upon the Finnish itral nervous system: 43 cases were >77; infants born in the same district trols, Two of the 43 case mothers and mforccd plastics industry (exposure to resin, organic peroxides, and acetone), i in Finland was 0.5 per 1000 live 50 considered fertile) worked in the live births per 1000 women per year in .ire expected The expected number of icso 13 births two congenital CNS >re than 300-fold (however, not yet inr also discovered a third case: in the ave birth to an anencephalic neonate, ey she had been exposed to styrene, husband was renovating the kitchen tlso have constributed to the anomaly, 'inland. 1982) assessed the obstetric styrene. They compared 67 women xposed to styrene with 67 age-matched vithout obvious chemical exposure; the i 30 + 6 and 31.5 respectively), and the s (mean 4.5 + 2.61. Interviews were held were divided according to the period (302 person-years of exposure). Prior to ith pregnancies, births, spontaneous Caprolactam 45 abortions, and induced abortions did not differ in the two groups. The expected number of births for the styrene exposure period was 20.9; four took place in the exposed group and 14 in the reference group. The number of births in the exposed group was significantly different from the expected number IP < 0.001) and from that in the controls (P<0.01). The number of spontaneous abortions did not differ, but eight and four induced abortions were reported Tor the respective groups. From other studies it could be assumed that the average exposure level was about 66 ppm (277 mg styrene/m1). The lower number of births in the exposed group could be explained partly by the increased number of induced abortions; moreover, consumption of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy was less favorable in this group. No effects on menstruation were observed. Conclusions. There is no conclusive evidence that exposure to styrene has an adverse effect on menstruation. One study suggested an increased risk of abortion (six cases), two others, of congenital abnormalities (two or three cases); however, a recent study did not reveal any effect on the incidence of spontaneous abortion. 6.3 Caprolactam Petrov (USSR. 1977) compared absenteeism due to sickness among young women exposed to carbon disulfide (group 1. n= 1422. see Chap. 3) or with that among women exposed to caprolactam and dinyl (group If. n = 5430), with that among nonexposed females (group III, n = 2575). No data on age distribution, level of education, or marital status were presented; exposure to caprolactam was below the USSR MAC 110 mg/m3). Most sickness absenteeism occurred among w omen 20-39 years of age (due perhaps to pregnancy, illness of children, and/or household activities). Group II experienced fewer vascular disturbances than did groups I and III. possibly due to a hypotensive effect of caprolactam. Twice as many skin diseases occurred in group II as in group I. Groups I and II experienced more complicated pregnancies--e. g,, abortions, toxicosis --than group III. This study presents too little information to permit any reliable conclusion. Martynova et al. (USSR, 1972) examined 300 women exposed to caprolactam between 1955 and 1969; before 1964 the exposure level many times exceeded 10 mg caprolactam/m3; between and 1966 the level decreased to about 10 mg/m3. Among 300 exposed women (76.5; below 40 years of age) the prevalence or decreased menstruation was 2.5 times higher than among 600 nonexposed controls; the prevalence increased with duration of exposure (58.80 > 5 years), or perhaps with age -- the study did not make this clear. Nadezdhina and Talankina (USSR, 1971) studied the prevalence of disturbed menstruation in 170 women (820 < 30 years of agel exposed to caprolactam; exposure to benzene, cyclohexanon, cyclohexane, cyclohexanon oxime, and trichlo roethylene might also have occurred. There were 101 women (720o < 30 years ofage) who served as controls. At first the MAC for various chemicals was exceeded in up to 50% of samples, later in only 5%. Disturbed menstruation was reported for 37"; and 13% and painful menstruation for 19.4s; and 8% of exposed and controls respectively. Lengthening of the desquamative phase from 3-4 to 5-6 days was more frequent among the exposed. In the groups with highest exposure the prevalence of signs and symptoms increased. Timoshenko and Petrov (USSR, 1977) compared the prevalence of disturbed menstruation among 321 women exposed to CS, (see Chap. 3), 218 exposed to about 10 OLI 3065 46 Plastic Monomers me caprolactam/m3, and 385 nonexposed controls; ages ranged from 20 to 40 years, duration of exposure averaged 3 years. The regularity of the cycles was not afTected, but I 1.8% of those exposed to CS,. 55% of those exposed to caprolactam, and 1.8% of controls had profuse menstruation; decreased bleeding was also more frequent in both exposed groups. The frequency of abortions was similar: 21% (caprolactam) and 19% (controls). Martynova et al. (1972) also examined the efTect of exposure to caprolactam on the course of pregnancy and delivery in 136 exposed and 150 nonexposed women 20-39 years of ace. The following prevalences were determined for exposed and controls respectively: toxicosis in 28.7; and 17.3%; premature birth in 6.6% and 2.0%; hypotonic uterus in 14,7% and 8.0%; postpartum bleeding in 33.8% and 18.0%; asphyxia neonatorum in 12.5; and 4.7%, complicated extraction in 15.4?; and 4.7?;. The development of infants did not vary. Livkeet al.(USSR, 1971) examined the same groups as were studied by Nadezhina and Talanktna (1971): the prevalence of complicated pregnancy was 30.5% for exposed women and 9.9% for controls. (P <0.01 >; the delivery was complicated in 10.0; and 3.9% respectively (/><0.05). Conclusions. The various epidemiologic studies provide little information: insufficient data are presented on age, obstetric history, level of education, and specific conditions of exposure: health effects are poorly defined; and in many cases there was combined exposure to many chemicals. Three studies reported menstrual disturbances; two studies, adverse effects on pregnancy and delivery. Although not conclusive, they may serve as an indication of an increased health risk. 6.4 Acrylates Chobot (USSR, 1979) examined 1044 women (< 40 years of age) from a polyacrylic Tiber plant and 440 nonexposed women from the same area (no data were reported on age distribution, obstetric history, life style, or occupation). Occupational exposure to mtrilacrylic acid and the methylethyl ether of acrylic acid (no data on exposure level; duration of exposure >14 years) was reported to affect menstruation. Decreased menstruation was reported for 10.0% of the exposed and 4.9% of the controls (Pc 0.05), profuse menstruation for 5.3; and 2.9?', respectively (Pc0.05); the incidence increased wiih duration of exposure (confounding by age was not examined). The data presented provide too few details to permit a conclusion. 6.5 Formaldehyde Exposure to formaldehyde occurs in occupations, in the ambient environment, and at home. In recent years exposure in (mobile) homes and in ofTices in which formaldehyde emanated from ureum formaldehyde condensation resins has received much attention; formaldehyde may emanate from adhesives in wood-chip board. Moreover, exposure occurs in health care facilities, where formaldehyde (formalin) is applied as a desinfectant, and where a relatively large number of women are employed (see Chap. 13). Olsen and Dossing (Denmark. 1982) studied the efTects of exposure to formaldehyde on 66 women employed in mobile day-care centers in which wood-chip board was used lor indoor paneling; 34 nonexpo concentration in air averaged 0.431 exposed and controls respectively exposed group about 40% comp addition to irritation of eyes and . Shumilina (USSR, 1975) examin apparently emanating from resin textile industry and 200 nonexpost tienstrual disturbances; in additio pregnancy and the birth weight c reported were deficient in details. From the few data available on ' firm conclusion can yet be drawn: -ystem and on pregnancy appears References *. Iiobot AM (1979) The menstrual funclio Zdravookhr Belosuss 25: 24-27 Downs ThD, Stallones RA, Frankowjki f wastage; a critical review. Prep for ih Idmonds L (1977) Birth defects jnd vm> workplace. Washington DC 1976. Soo DC, pp 114-119 i dmonds L, Falck H. Nissan JE (19751 C Harkonen H, Holmberg PC (19X2) Obst Scand J Work Environ Health 8: 74Hemmmki K, Franssila E. Vatnio I) (198< Finland. Int Arch Occup Environ He Holmberg PC (1977) Central nervous del reinforced plastics industry. Chance or Infante PF (1976) Oncogenic and mutage facilities. Ann NY Acad Set 276 49-5 Infante PF, Wagoner JK.. McMichnel AJ. Lancet I: 734-735 Infante PF, Wagoner JK. Waxwetler R associated with vinylchloridc. Muiat t Livke TM. Nudezhdtna LZ. Simonova M women working in caprolactam prodi Martynova AP. Lotis VM. Khadzhteva fc production of caprolactam fibers (in V Madczhdina LA. Talankina El (1971) St. women involved in the production of. Olsen JH, Dousing M (1982) FormaJdehyd 43: 366-370 Petrov NV11977) Morbidity with lempora fiber industry (in Russian). Vraeh Del, Shumilina AV (1975) Genetic and men- maldehyde (in Russian). Gig Tr Prof / Timoshenko LV. Petrov NV (1977) Stale women engaged in the manufacture of<. Zlobina NS, Izyumova AS. YU Ragutic N functions of the female organism (in R OLI 3066 r ranged from 20 to 40 years, of the cycles was not affected, but sed to caprolactam, and 1,8% of tg was also more frequent in both ilar: 21% /caprolactam) and 19% f exposure to caprolactam on the id 150 nonexposed women 20-39 mined for exposed and controls birth in 6 6% and 2.0%; hypotonic in 33 8", and 18.0%; asphyxia -action tn 15 4% and 4,7%. The ft. I97l)examined the same groups 1): the prevalence of complicated or controls. (P <0.01); the delivery <0.051 ,'ide little information; insufficient iucation. and specific conditions of many cases, there was combined ted menstrual disturbances; two \lthough not conclusive, they may cars of agel from a polyacrylic fiber Jb (no data were reported on age Wonl Occupational exposure to < acul (no data on exposure level; o affect menstruation. Decreased and 4.9% of the controls (P<0.05), . (Pc0.051: the incidence increased not exjmincd). The data presented n the ambient environment, and at nd in offices in which formaldehyde resins has received much attention. id-chip board. Moreover, exposure chyde (formalin) is applied as a w omen are employed (see Chap. 13). effects of exposure to formaldehyde in w hich wood-chip board was usee Formaldehyde 47 for indoor paneling; 34 nonexposed women served as controls. The formaldehyde concentration in air averaged 0.43 (0.24-0.55) mg/m1 and 0.08 (0.05-0.111 mg/mJ for the exposed and controls respectively. A self-assessment questionnaire was used. In the exposed group about 40% complained of menstrual irregularity (controls, 0%), in addition to irritation of eyes and airways, unnatural tiredness, and headache. Shumilina (USSR. 1975) examined 446 women exposed to 4.5 mg formaldehydc/m1 (apparently emanating from resins used in producing crease-resistant fabric) in the textile industry and 200 nonexposed women. She also reported a higher prevalence of menstrual disturbances; tn addition there was an increase in toxicosis and anemia in pregnancy and the birth weight of neonates was below normal. However, the data reported were deficient in details. From the few data available on women occupationally exposed to formaldehyde no firm conclusion can yet be drawn; further study of effects on the female reproductive system and on pregnancy appears to be necessary. References Chobot AM (1979) The menstrual function of workers in polyacrylonttril fiber production tin Russian). Zdravookhr Belosuss 25: 24-27 Downs ThD, Stallones RA, Frankowski RF, Labarihe DR (1977) Vinylchloride. birth defects and fetal wastage; a critical review. Prep for the Society of Plastic Industries by Research Statistics Edmonds L (1977) Birth defects and vinylchloride. In: Bingham E (edi Proc. Conf. on women and the workplace. Washington DC 1976. Society for Occupational and Em ironmental Health. Washington DC, pp 114-119 Edmonds L. Fakk H. Nissim JE (1975) Congenital malformations and vinylchloride, Lancet II: 1098 Harkonen H, Holmberg PC (19821 Obstetric histories of women occupationally exposed to styrene. Scand J Work Environ Health 8; 74-77 Hemminki K, Franssila E, Vainio H (1980) Spontaneous abortions among female chemical workers in Finland. lm Arch Occup Environ Health 45; 123-126 Holmberg PC (1977) Central nervous defects in two children of mothers exposed to chemicals in the reinforced plastics industry. Chance or a causal relation'1 Scand 1 \3 ork Environ Health 3:212-214 Infante PF (19761 Oncogenic and mutagenic risks in communities with polyvinyl chloride production facilities. Ann NV Acad Sci 276; 49-57 Infante PF. Wagoner JK., McMicliael AJ, Waxvveiler RJ, Falck H (1976ai Genetic risks of vinylchloride Lancet 1: 734-735 Infante PF. Wagoner JK, Waxweiler RJ (1976bl Carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic risks associated with vinylchloride. Mutac Res 41: 131-142 Livke TM, Nadezhdina LZ. Simonova MR (1971) The state of several metabolic processes in pregnant women working in caprolactam production tin Ukrainian!. Pcdiatr Akush Ginecol 6 [6]: 54-56 Martynova AP. Lotis VM. Khadzhieva ED. Caidova ES (19721 Occupational health of women in the production of caprolactam fibers (in Russian). Gig Tr Prof Zabol 16 [11]: 9-13 Nadezhdina LA. Talankina El (1971) State of the menstrual and childbearing functions of pregnant women involved in the production of caprolactam (in Russian). Gig Tr Prof Zabol 15 [11]: 43--44 Olsen JH. Dossing M (1982) Formaldehyde-induced symptoms m day-care centers. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 43: 366-370 Petrov NV (1977) Morbidity with temporary loss of working capacity in women working in the chemical fiber industry (in Russian!, Vrach Delo 5: 146-150 Shumilina AV (1975) Genetic and menstrual functions in women occupationally exposed to for maldehyde (in Russian). Gig Tr Prof Zabol 19 [12]: 18-21 Timoshenko LV, Petrov NV (1977) State of the menstrual and childbearing functions of the body of women engaged in the manufacture ofchemical fibers I in Ukrainian! Pediatr Akush Ginekol 6.42--44 Zlobina NS, lzyumova AS. YU RagulieN (1975) The effect of low styrene concentrations on the specific functions of the female organism (in Russian!. Gig Tr Prof Zabol 19 [12]: 21-25 OLI 3067