Time to Pregnancy among the Wives of Finnish Greenhouse Workers

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 85 - 93
• Main Authors: SALLMEN, Markku, LIESIVUORI, Jyrki, TASKINEN, Helena, LINDBOHM, Marja-Liisa, ANTTILA, Ahti, AALTO, Lea, HEMMINKI, Kari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01.04.2003; National Institute for Working Life; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health; National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway); Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
• Subjects: Adult; Agriculture; Alcohol drinking; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical hazards; Cigarette smoking; Confidence Intervals; Employee efficiency; Fecundity; Female; Finland - epidemiology; Humans; Incidence; Indoor gardening; Infertility, Male - epidemiology; Infertility, Male - etiology; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Paternal Exposure; Pesticides; Pesticides - adverse effects; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Population Surveillance; Pregnancy; Pregnancy - statistics & numerical data; Probability; Questionnaires; Reproductive History; Risk Assessment; Spouses; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Toxicology; Wives; Europe; Finland; fecundability; male exposure; reproductive health; pregnancy delay; Human; Toxicity; Pesticides; Male; Occupational exposure; Epidemiology; Reproduction; Fertility; Worker; Greenhouse; Male genital diseases; Occupational medicine; Public health
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.709

Objectives This study investigated the possibility of men's work in greenhouses and their exposure to pesticides being associated with reduced fertility. Methods A study on time to pregnancy was conducted among the families of Finnish male greenhouse employers and employees. Exposure to pesticides was assessed on the basis of questionnaire information and data gathered from the enterprises. Fecundability density ratios (FDR) for occupational exposure were calculated with discrete proportional hazards regression analyses. Results After three mailings, 578 (43%) couples participated. Fecundability was suggestively decreased for exposed greenhouse workers who were inefficiently protected, with FDR values of 0.67 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.33-1.35], 0.92 [95% CI 0.45-1.88] and 0.77 [95% CI 0.46-1.29] for high exposure, moderate exposure and low exposure, respectively, as compared with unexposed greenhouse workers. The exposed men who efficiently used personal protective equipment were as fertile as the unexposed greenhouse workers. Exposure to pyrethroids (FDR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.85) was related to decreased fecundability. Suggestive associations were observed for organophosphates (FDR 0.70, 95% CI 0.42-1.17) and carbamates (FDR 0.55,95% CI 0.27-1.11). Conclusions The findings of the study provide limited support for the hypothesis that exposure to pesticides is associated with reduced fertility. The findings for pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates can serve as a basis for a hypothesis for future studies.