Occupational Reproductive Hazards: Necessary Steps to Prevention

Although some attention has recently been given to the study of occupational reproductive hazards, little is known about Measure being taken to prevent exposure to substances having the potential to Cause such problem. In the past OSHA has prom ulgated a standard to lower the pemissible exposure level to a reprodutive toxin as the major focus only after experimental evidence was confirmed in humans. The method of selection of appropriate substitutes is also cause for concern. A chemical known to cause testicular atrophy, cancer, and gene mutatiom in subhuman test systems and to cause sterility in male workers was replaced with a substance known from experimental studies to cause testicular toxicity, canrer of multiple sites, and ge ne mutations. Exrerimental test results need to he addressed from the standpoint of determining presumptive risk to humans. A scheme for setting priorities for reduction of exposure or for consideration of regulation of occupational reprodutive hazards also needs to be developed. A policy addressing occuputional reproductive hazards may serve as a stimulus for proteting workers from these hazards and for improving scientific reseach protocols.