Occupational risks in families at a battery factory in Jordan


Abstract in English

The effect of lead exposure on rate of spontaneous abortion of workers at a battery factory was studied. The study comprised 25 male workers in a leadsmelter and controls of 24 male university employees without any known occupational exposure to toxic agent. The most interesting outcome of the present study has been the discovery of high incidence of spontaneous abortion in lead-exposed workers compared to that of controls. Comparative evaluation between smokers and non-smokers with respect to the incidence of spontaneous abortion does not exhibit any statistically significant variations in lead-exposed workers and controls as well. However, such findings are considered to be indicative of the possible existence of a genetic risk and sufficient for justifying further work on a wider scale of risk assessment and occupational hazard in Jordan.

References used

Anttila, A., and Sallmen, M. 1995. Effects of parental occupational exposure to lead and other metals on spontaneous abortion. Occup Environ Med., 37(8): 915-921
Apostoli, P., kiss, P., and Porru, S. 1998. Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and human. ASCLEPIOS study Group. Occup Environ Med., 55: 364-374
Apostoli, P., Bellini, A., and Porru, S. 2000. The effect of lead on male fertility: a time to pregnancy (T TP) study. Am J Ind Med., 38: 310-315

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