Protecting the reproductive health of workers: problems in science and public policy

Journal Article · · J. Health Polit. Policy Law; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1215/03616878-8-1-144· OSTI ID:7011539

Valentine, J M; Plough, A L

This paper first reviews the scientific problems involved in assessing the effects on reproductive health of toxic substances in the work environment. It then describes the current status of regulatory policies designed to control workers' exposures to toxins believed to affect reproduction. Finally, the paper discusses the relationship between scientific uncertainty and regulatory strategies. Because demonstrating reproductive health effects is extremely difficult, the assessment of the health risks of exposures, as well as of the economic costs of regulation, is probabilistic. Therefore, uncertainty is inherent in any regulatory decision in this area. And the case of reproductive risks is illustrative of the more general problem of protecting the health of workers within a context of scientific uncertainty, and within a highly charged political environment characterized by anti-regulatory sentiment and industries in economic decline.

• Research Organization: Boston Univ., MA
• OSTI ID: 7011539
• Journal Information: J. Health Polit. Policy Law; (United States), Journal Name: J. Health Polit. Policy Law; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN JHPLD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARCINOGENS
ELEMENTS
GENETIC EFFECTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PERSONNEL
PROBABILITY
PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC POLICY
REPRODUCTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
TOXIC MATERIALS