Occupational influences on reproduction: a review of recent literature

Abstract

There has been great interest in reproductive impairment, estimated to affect 30% of US couples, but the proportion of such problems resulting from occupational exposures remains unknown. This interest has spawned numerous papers that investigate the relationship between occupation and reproduction. Updating a previous review, the authors provide here a comprehensive listing of the literature published between 1981 and 1985 on this topic. Our critical review reveals common weaknesses, including (1) inadequate sample size and poor response rates, (2) potential for selection bias, (3) inadequate attention to potentially confounding factors, and (4) poor characterization of exposure.