Occupational reproductive hazards: necessary steps to prevention.

Although some attention has recently been given to the study of occupational reproductive hazards, little is known about measures being taken to prevent exposure to substances having the potential to cause such problems. In the past, OSHA has promulgated a standard to lower the permissible exposure level to a reproductive toxin as the major focus only after experimental evidence was confirmed in humans. The method of selection of appropriate substitutes is also cause for concern. A chemical known to cause testicular atrophy, cancer, and gene mutations in subhuman test systems and to cause sterility in male workers was replaced with a substance known from experimental studies to cause testicular toxicity, cancer of multiple sites, and gene mutations. Experimental test results need to be addressed from the standpoint of determining presumptive risk to humans. A scheme for setting priorities for reduction of exposure or for consideration of regulation of occupational reproductive hazards also needs to be developed. A policy addressing occupational reproductive hazards may serve as a stimulus for protecting workers from these hazards and for improving scientific research protocols.