Occupational Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Birth Weight and Length of Gestation: A European Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background:Women of reproductive age can be exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) at work, and exposure to EDCs in pregnancy may affect fetal growth.Objectives:We assessed whether maternal occupational exposure to EDCs during pregnancy as classified by application of a job exposure matrix was associated with birth weight, term low birth weight (LBW), length of gestation, and preterm delivery.Methods:Using individual participant data from 133,957 mother–child pairs in 13 European cohorts spanning births from 1994 through 2011, we linked maternal job titles with exposure to 10 EDC groups as assessed through a job exposure matrix. For each group, we combined the two levels of exposure categories (possible and probable) and compared birth outcomes with the unexposed group (exposure unlikely). We performed meta-analyses of cohort-specific estimates.Results:Eleven percent of pregnant women were classified as exposed to EDCs at work during pregnancy, based on job title. Classification of exposure to one or more EDC group was associated with an increased risk of term LBW [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.49], as were most specific EDC groups; this association was consistent across cohorts. Further, the risk increased with increasing number of EDC groups (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.10, 4.06 for exposure to four or more EDC groups). There were few associations (p < 0.05) with the other outcomes; women holding job titles classified as exposed to bisphenol A or brominated flame retardants were at higher risk for longer length of gestation.Conclusion:Results from our large population-based birth cohort design indicate that employment during pregnancy in occupations classified as possibly or probably exposed to EDCs was associated with an increased risk of term LBW.Citation:Birks L, Casas M, Garcia AM, Alexander J, Barros H, Bergström A, Bonde JP, Burdorf A, Costet N, Danileviciute A, Eggesbø M, Fernández MF, González-Galarzo MC, Gražulevičienė R, Hanke W, Jaddoe V, Kogevinas M, Kull I, Lertxundi A, Melaki V, Andersen AM, Olea N, Polanska K, Rusconi F, Santa-Marina L, Santos AC, Vrijkotte T, Zugna D, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Cordier S, Vrijheid M. 2016. Occupational exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and birth weight and length of gestation: a European meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect 124:1785–1793; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP208

Household renovation before and during pregnancy in relation to preterm birth and low birthweight in China

“…Generally speaking, housewives spend more time at home and thus may be affected more by pollutants from household renovation than office workers and women with other jobs. 40 However, this explanation is inconsistent with our finding of association between PTB and household renovation during pregnancy.…”

“…24,40 The cohort study of 213 461 births in China found that women who were exposed to interior decoration or oil paint odor at home or in the workplace within 6 months before their pregnancy had significantly lower incidence of LBW than other women without these exposures. 24,40 The cohort study of 213 461 births in China found that women who were exposed to interior decoration or oil paint odor at home or in the workplace within 6 months before their pregnancy had significantly lower incidence of LBW than other women without these exposures.…”

“…40 More studies are warranted to clarify possible effects of household renovation on birth outcomes. Besides, the study of 133 957 mother-child pairs from 13 European cohorts found that mothers who were exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (eg, PAEs, PAHs, and Bisphenol A) at work during pregnancy had a higher risk of births with Term-LBW, but not PTB, than mothers without such exposures.…”

“…Our findings that household renovation in the year before pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW and Term-LBW, whereas household renovation during pregnancy was significantly associated with PTB but not LBW and Term-LBW, differ from those of a nationwide cohort study in China and a European cohort study. 24,40 The cohort study of 213 461 births in China found that women who were exposed to interior decoration or oil paint odor at home or in the workplace within 6 months before their pregnancy had significantly lower incidence of LBW than other women without these exposures. 24 First, this study was conducted in rural areas and designed as a prospective cohort study, whereas our study was mainly in urban areas and designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study.…”

“…Besides, the study of 133 957 mother-child pairs from 13 European cohorts found that mothers who were exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (eg, PAEs, PAHs, and Bisphenol A) at work during pregnancy had a higher risk of births with Term-LBW, but not PTB, than mothers without such exposures. 40 More studies are warranted to clarify possible effects of household renovation on birth outcomes.…”