Abstract

BALDO, Cecilia Carolina et al. Anencephaly and residence near textile industries: an epidemiological case-control study in South America. BAG, J. basic appl. genet. [online]. 2008, vol.19, n.1, pp.9-14. ISSN 1852-6233.

Case reports on solvent exposure in humans and occupational as well as water contamination studies are the main source of information about the adverse effect of solvents on pregnancy. This matched case-control study evaluates the environmental exposure to organic solvents released by textile industries and the risk of anencephaly. The sample comprises 69 cases and 207 controls registered in the ECLAMC network in five counties from Argentina between 1982 and 1994. Statistically non-significant risk was observed for mothers living within a radius of 3 km from the textile industry (OR=1.09, 95% CI=0.60-2.02, p=0.774). A lineal risk trend could not be shown, although a slightly increased risk was observed for mothers living less than 2 km far from textile industries. After controlling for several possible confounding factors, the conditional logistic regression model showed an OR=0.72 95% CI=0.32-1.66, p=0.447. The principal confounder was low socioeconomic level which modified 2.9% the crude risk. The estimated risk is low and statistically non significant, however, further research is necessary to demonstrate a cause-effect relationship between organic solvents exposure and anencephaly. Regional surveillance programs and case-control studies are useful for public health to respond at population concerns about environmental agents that could cause adverse effects on human health.

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