Surveys on reproductive toxicity of 2-bromopropane in humans

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(1) 2-Bromopropane factory in China was investigated to clarify the dose-effect relationship of 2-bromopropane in workers. Twenty-five workers (female 14, male 11) were examined on their individual exposure levels, blood counts, menstruation status for females and semen indices for males.Regression analysis of examined indices was made against exposure levels. Amenorrhea or polymenorrhea was found in elder females. When the analysis was conducted just in females with normal menstruation, a negative association was found between hematological indices and exposure levels. However, no significant association was found for other indices with exposure levels. No severe disorders of hematological and reproductive function were found below 10 ppm. However, possible adverse effects of 2-bromopropane on hematopoiesis could not be disproved.(2) Health effect of 1-bromopropane was investigated. 27 female workers of 1-bromopropane factory were examined neurologically and examined for motor nerve conduction velocity, distal latency, F-wave conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity. 25 female beer plant workers were examined as the control. 17 of the 27 female workers of the 1-bromopropane factory showed a decreased sense of vibration by neurological examination. There was no difference between the exposure group and the controls in motor nerve conduction velocity in the lower limbs, but distal latency was significantly elongated in the exposure group compared with the control (37%). F-wave conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity decreased significantly in the exposure group (5% and 15%, respectively). Individual exposure levels were 0.3-49.2 ppm in time weighted average. The present study suggests that 1-bromopropane impairs peripheral nerves in lower limbs at several dozen ppm.