Occupational exposure of fathers to chemicals is associated with the risk of developing congenital heart disease in children.A research group led by Visiting Professor Hiroyasu Iso of the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine investigated the effects of fathers' occupational exposure to chemical substances on their children, and the following results were obtained.
According to Osaka University, the research group asked 2 fathers whether they had been exposed to chemicals at work in the three months before their partner's pregnancy was discovered. We classified and examined the relationship with congenital heart disease in children who were born more than once.
As a result, 120 children were found to have congenital heart disease.If the father uses a copier, laser printer, water-based paint, or inkjet printer at least once a week, and uses engine oil, lead-containing products such as solder, or lead-free solder 1-1 times a month, the child's were found to be at increased risk of developing congenital heart disease.
Furthermore, organic solvents, chlorine bleach, and disinfectants were also found to be associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease with exposure 1-3 times per month.
However, the results of this survey were analyzed based on responses to a questionnaire, and were not based on the concentration of chemical substances in biological samples such as blood and urine.For this reason, the research group says that it is necessary to proceed with investigations using objective indicators in the future.
Paper information:[Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine]Paternal Occupational Exposures and Infant Congenital Heart Defects in the Japan Environment and Children's Study
