1.Occupational Hazards to Menstrual Cycle in Female Workers of LCD Manufacturing;2. Reproductive Endocrine Study in Female Workers of LCD Manufacturing
Date Issued
2005
Date
2005
Author(s)
Huang, Chia-Ni
DOI
en-US
Abstract
1.The LCD-Display manufacturing is a rapid growing high-tech industry in Taiwan. It has become the second semiconductor manufacturing in Taiwan. The process of the LCD-Display manufacturing is involved array, panel and module. The array and panel process are similar to the semiconductor manufacturing process. In a study among semiconductor employees, the results indicate greater cycle length and higher cycle variability among women working in the thin film and ion implantation. Women working in the photolithography group had also a higher cycle variability and an elevated risk of short cycles. One study investigated in LCD manufacturing, no significant finding was observed among the exposed workers who handle ethylene glycol ethers (EGEEA) compared to a referent group of workers in the LCD manufacturing for duration of each menstrual cycle (period), duration (days) of the menses, and the amount of flow. Many chemical agents used in the process have been evaluated the female reproductive toxicity in animal studies. Knowledge about the reproductive toxicity of these agents in humans is scanty. There are many other potentially reproductive risk factors including electromagnetic field, shift work, and stress. Although studies investigated the effects of occupational exposures in LCD manufacturing were seldom.
The object of this cross-sectional study was to determine the effect of occupational exposures on menstrual cycle characteristics in LCD manufacturing. Menstrual function was estimated by questionnaire. Furthermore, we used handheld volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor and 24 hours canister sampling to assess potential chemical exposure. Electric and magnetic field exposure data were collected from an EMDEX meter. The study population consisted of female employees in a LCD plant in Taiwan. About 506 female workers age 19-60 years have completed routine health examination and the questionnaire during the end of 2002. For our analysis, 250 were excluded for the following criteria: above 40 years old; used oral contraceptives or other hormone; pregnancy or lactation; have had hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or other gynecologic surgery and smoking. Finally, the remaining 256 women were included in this analysis.
The results of 24 hours canister sampling analyzed showed that there were many chemical compounds had potentially reproductive effects especially in array and module areas. In addition, the results of handheld VOC monitor showed that there was higher concentration of total volatile organic compound in module area than others.
The data from the questionnaires was grouped by working areas：non-fabrication, array, panel, and module. Female worker in panel area(OR=2.34，95%CI= 1.00-5.49) and module area (OR=2.55，95%CI=1.10-5.91) have higher risk of menstrual length disorder than other groups. Female worker in module area (OR=4.79，95%CI=1.08-21.32) have higher risk of shorter menstrual length than other groups.
Therefore, we found an increased frequency of shorter menstrual cycles among the women working in module process. The conjecture of our study was that much higher concentration of potentially multiple chemicals exposure has substantial reproductive effects on the female workers in module area. Further, using daily urine metabolites of sex steroid hormones may allow us to obtain detailed menstrual function data and assess the potential reproductive effect of occupational exposure in this study site.
2.In our previous study, we found that Female worker in module area (OR=4.79，95%CI=1.08-21.32) have higher risk of shorter menstrual length than other groups. The possible explanation for these results was potential multiple chemical exposure such as ethanol, acetone, toluene, xylene, benzene, styrene, affect female reproductive system and lead to irregular menstrual cycle. In this study, using daily urine metabolites of sex steroid hormones may allow us to obtain detailed menstrual function data and assess the potential reproductive effect of occupational exposure in this study site.
Assays of prospectively collected daily urine samples for metabolites of reproductive endocrine such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogens, and progesterone have been used in much epidemiologic studies to assess ovulatory status, timing of ovulation and menstrual function. Previous epidemiologic studies have examined the effects of phychological stress in work place, smoking, and occupation on menstrual function by using daily urinary hormone metabolites. In this study, we used this tool to estimate the length of segment, ovulatory status, and hormone levels. By the assessment, we could determine the target organs of the occupational exposure.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the potential reproductive endocrine effects of occupational exposure in the LCD manufacturing. Menstrual function was estimated by questionnaire. Reproductive endocrine was evaluated by detecting the concentration of reproductive hormonal metabolites in urine, either questionnaire or daily diary. Furthermore, we used handheld volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor and 24 hours canister sampling to assess potential chemical exposure. Electric and magnetic field exposure data were collected from an EMDEX meter.
The study population consisted of female employees in a LCD plant in Taiwan. About 256 female workers have completed the questionnaire during the end of 2003. They were screened by a face-to-face interview to identify those who were eligible and willing to collect and freeze urine samples daily after waking for up to 1.5 menstrual cycles. Finally, urine samples of 96 subjects were included in urinary hormone analysis. Participants completed a detailed baseline questionnaire. We assayed FSH, E1C (estrone conjugates) and PdG (Pregnanediol-3-glucuronide) by ELISA. We also obtained reproductive and exposure information from baseline questionnaire and daily diary.
After adjusting effects of factors on hormonal excretion, E1C level of the female workers in module group still had a significantly increased (2.38 ng/mg Cr, 95% CI: 0.25, 4.51) compared with the female workers in panel group in early follicular phase. FSH level of the women in module group had a little significantly increased (0.08 mIU/mg Cr, 95% CI: 0.00,0.16) adjusted by effects compared with the women in panel group in early follicular phase.
The possibility is that multiple chemical exposures may diminish ovarian oocyte reserve or induced ovarian failure. Furthermore, shorten follicular phase may lead to shorten menstrual cycle. It is consistent with the finding of our previous study.
Subjects
黃體激素
促濾泡成熟激素
月經
雌激素
不孕症
液晶螢幕顯示器製造
luteinizing hormone
estrogens
infertility
follicle stimulating hormone
female
progesterone
menstruation
liquid crystal display manufacturing
SDGs
Type
thesis
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