The primary objective of this study is to assess the relationship between exposure to phenoxy herbicides and the risk of spontaneous abortion in a cohort of Ontario farm families. Although there have been general investigations which have suggested that these chemicals are carcinogenic in humans and embryotoxic and teratogenic in animals, this study will be the first to examine this relationship in a farm population, in which a large number of reproductive-age women are potentially exposed. Two sub-cohorts of farm operations that vary in potential exposure to phenoxy herbicides will be identified based on the Census of Agriculture. Farming couples will be mailed questionnaires which will obtain information on agricultural chemicals used, reproductive history activities on the farm, and other potential risk factors for spontaneous abortion. Multiple logistic regression will be used to assess the effect of phenoxy herbicide exposure on spontaneous abortion, controlling for confounding factors. The wide usage of these chemicals, both in agricultural and residential settings (especially 2,4-D), the suggestive evidence of toxicity from the results of epidemiological and toxicological studies, and the profound consequences of adverse reproductive out!comes both to the individuals and the public, suggest that this topic warrants further study.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES005502-02
Application #
3253808
Study Section
Epidemiology and Disease Control Subcommittee 2 (EDC)
Project Start
1991-05-01
Project End
1994-04-30
Budget Start
1992-05-01
Budget End
1993-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Curtis, K M; Savitz, D A; Weinberg, C R et al. (1999) The effect of pesticide exposure on time to pregnancy. Epidemiology 10:112-7
Arbuckle, T E; Sever, L E (1998) Pesticide exposures and fetal death: a review of the epidemiologic literature. Crit Rev Toxicol 28:229-70
Curtis, K M; Savitz, D A; Arbuckle, T E (1997) Effects of cigarette smoking, caffeine consumption, and alcohol intake on fecundability. Am J Epidemiol 146:32-41