Occupational exposure to organic solvents and pregnancy. Review of currentepidemiologic knowledge

The findings and methodological issues of recent epidemiological studies (1 989-1999) on adverse developmental effects of maternal occupational exposur e to organic solvents are reviewed. Several studies suggest the possibility of a moderate increase in the risk of spontaneous abortion and congenital malformations, especially facial clefts, associated with maternal exposure to solvents. A common methodological weakness of these studies is the inacc uracy of data on exposures. Positive findings encourage further epidemiolog ical studies of high-quality design and use of protective measures to minim ize exposure to these agents from the preconceptional period to the end of pregnancy.