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

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700180107· OSTI ID:6788407

Quinn, M M; Wegman, D H; Greaves, I A; Hammond, S K; Ellenbecker, M J; Spark, R F; Smith, E R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (USA)

A Health Hazard Evaluation was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in an area of a large chemical plant that manufactured the stilbene derivative 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, an intermediate used for the production of optical brightening agents. Men employed in the area reported problems with impotence. The study population consisted of 44 men aged 20-57 years (mean age 37) employed in the area at the time of the evaluation. An industrial hygiene investigation, health and work history questionnaire survey, physical examinations, and blood chemistry and serum hormone evaluation were conducted. Fourteen percent of the men reported symptoms of impotence over the preceding 6 or more months, 7% had potency problems of shorter duration, and 7% were not currently impotent but had experienced impotence for 6 or more months in the past; 36% experienced decreased libido, all since beginning work in the production area. Low levels of serum testosterone (less than 350 ng/dl) were observed in 37% of the men. The low serum testosterone concentrations were not accounted for fully by diurnal variation or an effect of rotating shift work. It is suggested that exposures to chemicals possessing estrogenic activity may be related to the observed health effects in these workers.

• OSTI ID: 6788407
• Journal Information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA), Vol. 18:1; ISSN 0271-3586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
HEALTH HAZARDS
STILBENE
TOXICITY
UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MALES
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
TESTOSTERONE
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
AROMATICS
DISEASES
HAZARDS
HORMONES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
KETONES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology