Effects of exposure to organic solvents an menstrual cycle length

To investigate the association between organic solvent exposure and menstru al disturbance, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 1408 petrochemic al workers in China. Based on an industrial hygiene evaluation, we classifi ed the workshops according to the presence or absence of organic solvents ( benzene, styrene, toluene, or xylene). We used logistic regression to estim ate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for prolonged menstrual cycle length (oligomenorrhea: average cycle length >35 days during the previous y ear) associated with the exposure. After adjustment for confounders, each a dditional year of work in an exposed workshop was associated with a 7% incr ease in oligomenorrhea (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.14). Compared with no exposure, 3 or more years of exposure was associate d with a 53% increase in oligomenorrhea (odds ratio, 1.53, 95% confidence i nterval, 1.00 to 2.34). We concluded that exposure to organic solvents is a ssociated with a trend toward increased frequency of oligomenorrhea.