Dibromochloropropane (DBCP).
Source
NIOSH 1980 Oct:103-115
Abstract
The reproductive effects of dibromochloropropane (96128) (DBCP) were studied in workers from the Occidental Chemical Company (SIC-281) in Lathrop, California. The incidence of azoospermia among 107 DBCP exposed and 35 unexposed workers was 14 and 3 percent, respectively. Some recovery of sperm count was noted in men who had been removed from exposure for an unspecified period of time. Follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were significantly increased in men who were azoospermic, with sperm counts below 1 million. In two other DBCP exposed populations, significantly reduce sperm counts were found among workers from Shell Oil Company (SIC-281) and Dow Chemical Company (SIC-281). The author concludes that DBCP can produce functional sterility in man, and notes that it is a proven carcinogen in laboratory animals. He recommends that semen samples be collected by the worker at home, then brought to the laboratory. Follow up examinations should be provided for workers who have low sperm counts.
Keywords
Reproductive-effects; Bromides; Occupational-exposure; Men; Humans; Cancer; Laboratory-animals; Medical-monitoring;
Source Name
Proceedings of a Workshop on Methodology for Assessing Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace, April 19-22, 1978, P.F. Infante and M.S. Legator, Eds. Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
