Evaluation of reproductive function among men occupationally exposed to a stilbene derivative. I: Hormonal and physical status

This is the first of two reports describing a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation conducted in response to complaints of impotence and decreased libido among male employees who manufactured 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'disulfonic acid (DAS; CAS 81-11-8), an intermediate in the manufacture of fluorescent whitening agents. DAS is structurally similar to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Levels of six reproductive hormones in 30 male workers who manufactured DAS (current DAS workers) and 20 former DAS workers were compared to levels of 35 workers who manufactured plastics additives. Current and former DAS workers had lower mean total testosterone (TT) levels compared to additives workers (458 and 442, respectively, vs. 556 ng/dL; p = 0.05 and 0.04). Current and former DAS workers were 3.6 (95% CI, 0.5-24.4) and 2.2 (95% CI, 0.3-18.0) times more likely than additives workers to have lowest quartile TT levels (<386 ng/dL) after adjustment for age and body mass index. Duration of employment in DAS production was negatively related to the workers' testosterone levels. These data suggest that occupational DAS exposure may be associated with alterations in male reproductive hormone levels. (This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.) © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.