REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS

360 male workers who were employed in the cement factory and engaged in the various units of the cement plant like the raw material operation unit, rotary kiln unit, coal mills, storage silos and packing unit were selected for the present study (exposed group). A detailed reproductive epidemiology of their wives was collected using a standard questionnaire in order to evaluate the possible mutagenic effects in male workers. Data was also recorded from 330 individuals who were not exposed to cement dust (control group). Smokers and non-smokers were categorised in either groups. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of abortions, still births, neonatal deaths, congenital defects and premature births in the exposed group when compared to the control group.