Janitors, scientists, teachers and others who are regularly exposed to chemicals are at higher risk for pregnancies resulting in birth defects, according to a recent online report in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. A survey of mothers of children with birth defects identified that janitors or scientists were more likely to have children with certain conditions including ear, eye, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and oral clefts:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/EnvironmentalHealth/17643
The study did not considered amount of time spent in any occupation or the possible chemicals the women were exposed to in their professions. Researchers say they study was intended to generate hypotheses and indicate the need for more specific studies in the future.
The study was supported by a cooperative agreement with the CDC.
