Toronto • May 28-29, 2010 • Student Day and Workshops: May 27
Paper: Case study investigation of birth defects in a newspaper office environment
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Day/Time: Friday at 15:15
Room: Giovanni Room, 2nd Floor
Objectives:
A cluster of birth defects occurred among children of mothers working in a small area of a large newspaper office. The Health & Safety Committee requested the occupational health clinic’s assistance in identifying the cause. Other workplace exposure concerns were also identified and workers wondered whether they could be related to the birth defects. A comprehensive approach was proposed to assess not only the reproductive problems but also other exposures commonly found in office environments.
Methods:
A list of conceivable reproductive risk factors was collected for investigation. However, based on previous experience with cluster investigations, it was decided to use a broad investigation strategy rather than focusing only on reproductive hazards. A survey instrument was constructed from recognized questionnaires, which dealt with ergonomics, indoor air quality, asthma and workplace stress, along with customized exposure questions. Measurements were taken for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate, magnetic fields and noise. Measurement results were compared to existing standards. Symptoms were logged during the sampling period to determine if there was an association with measure air parameters. The questionnaires' results were analyzed using regression techniques. The two departments where the birth defects occurred were compared to other departments. Workers were given the time from work to fill out the questionnaire in a specific room at the worksite.
Results:
Despite administering the survey on site, the response rate was 67% largely due to workers on vacation (the survey was administered in July). Measurements showed that air quality was mostly within standards, however, particulate was associated with throat symptoms. Stress, musculoskeletal and air quality symptoms were highest in the two departments of concern. Magnetic fields and low frequency noise levels were also above background levels in these departments. There was evidence for an association between asthma and particulate (both internal and ambient); and, headache, nausea and ear symptoms with low frequency noise.
Conclusions:
The departments of concern had higher levels of exposure to some of the possible risk factors, however, any association was rather tenuous and fraught with uncertainty. Practical advice included to offer the possibility of relocation for concerned pregnant workers. While affected workers did not directly engage tertiary prevention services, the JH&SC was satisfied that the investigation was thorough. Although a workplace cause could not be completely ruled out, there were recommendations for other workplace concerns based on secondary and primary prevention investigation activities, which the JH&SC could be act upon.
