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Investigation of reports of sexual dysfunction among male chemical workers manufacturing stilbene derivatives.

Quinn-MM; Wegman-DH; Greaves-IA; Hammond-K; Ellenbecker-MJ; Spark-RF; Smith-ER

Am J Ind Med 1990 Jul; 18(1):55-68

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700180107

00194961

NIOSH undertook an investigation to determine if reports of male impotence among a group of chemical workers employed at a large chemical manufacturing factory were work related. The workers at the facility were involved in the manufacture of the stilbene (588590) derivative 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic-acid (81118). The study population consisted of 44 men, aged 20 to 57 years, who were employed at the facility at the time of the investigation. Fourteen percent of the men reported symptoms of impotence over the preceding 6 months or more. Potency problems of a shorter duration were noted by 7%. An additional 7% were not currently impotent but had experienced impotence for 6 or more months in the past. Decreased libido was noted in 36% of the men and all of this was experienced since beginning work in the production area of the firm. Low levels of serum testosterone were observed in 37% of the men. The authors suggest that the exposures to chemical possessing estrogenic activity may be related to the observed health effects in these workers.

NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Cooperative-Agreement; Reproductive-system-disorders; Workplace-studies; Reproductive-effects; Reproductive-hazards; Hormones; Blood-analysis; Spermatogenesis; Author Keywords: impotence; serum testosterone; workplace exposures; stilbene manufacture

Margaret M. Quinn, M.Sc, C.I.H., Department of Work Environment, College of Engineering, University of Lowell, University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854

AJIMD8

588-59-0; 81-11-8

19900701

Journal Article

Cooperative Agreement

1990

Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-100816

1

0271-3586

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

MA; MN