Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-415-1688, Precision Castparts Corporation, Portland, Oregon. [2-ethoxyethanol exposure]

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:6959306

Ratcliffe, J M; Clapp, D E; Schrader, S M; Turner, T W; Oser, J

A cross-sectional evaluation of semen quality (sperm concentration, pH, volume, viability, motility, velocity and morphology) was made among men employed at the Precision Castparts Corporation, Portland, Oregon in response to a management request to evaluate effects of exposure to 2-ethoxyethanol (2EE). About 80 male workers were potentially exposed to 2EE, used as a binder in investment casting. Full-shift breathing-zone airborne exposures to 2EE ranged from not detectable to 23.8 ppm. The average sperm count per ejaculate among the exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the unexposed comparison group, 113 versus 154 million sperm/ejaculate. Average sperm concentrations of both groups were significantly lower than the average for other occupational populations. The authors conclude that there is a possible effect of 2EE exposure on sperm count among these workers, but other factors may be affecting semen quality of both exposed and unexposed workers.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6959306
• Report Number(s): PB-87-108320/XAB; HETA-84-415-1688
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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