Abstract
Increasing numbers of young women are employed as gasoline station attendants in most developing countries despite the lack of empirical data on the adverse reproductive health effect of this solvent. This study therefore sought to assess the effects of gasoline inhalation on the serum sex hormone profile and menstrual characteristics of female gasoline station attendants in Nigeria, given the global increase in the rate of infertility and the existing evidence on the reproductive toxicity of gasoline constituents. A site-by-site cross-sectional study of 117 female gasoline pump attendants and 118 age-matched controls was carried out between September 2011 and November 2012. The following 3 instruments were used for data collection: a semi-structured questionnaire, a female sex hormone profile assay and exposure status measures. The prevalence of menstrual disorders among the exposed and unexposed women was 37.2% and 28.5% respectively. Exposure to gasoline was significantly associated with disorders in both menstrual cycle length and quantity of flow. Specifically, exposed women had a greater than threefold increased risk of a menstrual disorder, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.25 for abnormal cycle length and OR of 4.16 for abnormal quantity of flow. In addition, longer duration of exposure (>1 year) was significantly associated with higher likelihood of menstrual disorders. There were also persistent low serum levels of estradiol, and fluctuating levels of other reproductive hormones. Gasoline inhalation may interfere with ovarian functions leading to disordered menstrual characteristics and female sex hormone profiles, as well as future reproductive impairment.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been a significant influx of female workers in petrochemical firms, and a considerable proportion of these workers are of reproductive age [1]
This study sought to assess the effects of gasoline inhalation on the serum sex hormone profile and menstrual characteristics of female gasoline station attendants in Nigeria, given the global increase in the rate of infertility and the existing evidence on the reproductive toxicity of gasoline constituents
10.6% had a primary level of education, 85.1% had a secondary level of education, and 4.3% had a tertiary level of education
Summary
There has been a significant influx of female workers in petrochemical firms, and a considerable proportion of these workers are of reproductive age [1] This scenario carries significant public health concern and has been an important issue in occupational medicine [2] due to the potential adverse effects of occupational exposure to toxic gasoline constituents on female reproductive endpoints, especially given the increased rate of infertility in both developed [3] and developing countries. Among the numerous constituents of petroleum products, gasoline constituents (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX)) are designated as the most toxic compounds to humans [4] These compounds are volatile and lipophilic in nature, and workers may be exposed through inhalation, ingestion or dermal routes [5]. It was felt that a study to investigate the effect of gasoline inhalation on the menstrual characteristics and hormonal profiles of female petrol pump workers, who receive continuous occupational exposure and whose future reproductive performance depends on the integrity of their reproductive organs, would be valuable
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