Survey of reproductive events of wives of employees exposed to chlorinated dioxins

Abstract

To determine whether paternal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or other polychlorinated dioxins might be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among wives of Dow Michigan Division employees in the Midland, Michigan, area who had been potentially exposed to dioxins. A control group consisted of wives of employees who had no dioxins exposure and whose hire dates were comparable to those of the men in the exposed group. A total of 737 conceptions, which resulted in 637 live births and 10 stillbirths and spontaneous abortions, were identified as having paternal exposure; 2031 conceptions, resulting in 1785 live births and 246 stillbirths and spontaneous abortions, were identified as having no paternal exposure to any isomer of dioxin. Odds ratios were calculated for dependent variables consisting of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, infant deaths and several categories of congenital malformations. Trend analysis was performed for duration-of-paternal-exposure of 12 months or less, or more than 12 months. Overall, no statistically significant associations were found between any exposure and pregnancy outcome, either before or after stratification by pertinent sets of up to nine covariables.