Occupational exposure to chemical substances and congenital anomalies: state of the art
Cordier, S.; Goujard, J.
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 42(2): 144-159
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-7620 PMID: 8184158 Document Number: 438197
Several thousands of compounds with a potential reproductive toxicity have been identified in animals, some of them are teratogens. In humans, only a small number of chemicals, administered as drugs, present in the diet, or in the occupational environment are recognized human teratogens. In parallel, about 60% of congenital anomalies have no identified cause and most probably some compounds present in the environment may contribute to certain anomalies. This paper presents a review of published epidemiological studies on the association between occupational exposures and congenital anomalies, focusing more particularly on some groups of compounds or some occupations such as: anaesthetic gases, laboratory work, solvents, pesticides and lead.