Effects of metallic mercury on the perimenstrual symptoms and menstrual outcomes of exposed workers |
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Authors: | Yang Jian-Ming Chen Qiong-Yu Jiang Xue-Zhi |
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Institution: | Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. jyang@scripps.edu |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Mercury is an important environmental and industrial pollutant and its effect on perimenstrual symptoms and menstrual outcomes is unclear. METHODS: A retrospective epidemiological investigation was conducted on 296 female workers exposed to mercury vapor and 394 female workers from food processing plants. Both groups included women of 18-44 years of age currently working since last at least 1 year when studied. Women who were currently pregnant, using oral contraceptives (Ocs), an intrauterine device (IUD), and steroid hormones were excluded. RESULTS: The air concentration of mercury in the workplace ranged from 0.001-0.200 mg/m(3). The prevalence of abdominal pain in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% CI is 1.03-2.11). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group (OR = 1.66, 95% CI is 1.07-2.59). CONCLUSIONS: An increased prevalence of abnormal menstruation was found in mercury-exposed workers in China. Dysmenorrhea may be a useful biomarker for assessing female exposure to mercury occupationally. These observations suggest that further studies and preventive measures are warranted. |
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Keywords: | metallic mercury perimenstrual symptoms menstruation outcomes epidemiological study biomarker worker occupational exposure dysmenorrhea |
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