The impact of short-term exposure to volatile hydrocarbons on fertility: Findings from the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study.

Petrochemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, n-hexane (BTEX-H) and total hydrocarbons (THC) have been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes, yet few studies have examined their impact on fertility, particularly among oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) workers. Using data from the Gulf Long-Term Follow-Up (GuLF) Study, a prospective cohort of OSRC workers and non-workers associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster clean-up, we evaluated associations between BTEX-H and THC inhalation exposures and post-spill subfertility among 2671 male and 618 female OSRC workers Subfertility was defined as a self-reported infertility diagnosis and/or failure to conceive after 12 months of attempts. Cumulative and maximum daily average exposures to each BTEX-H constituent (ppb-days) and THC (ppm-days) were estimated via job-exposure matrixes combining air monitoring data with detailed Deepwater Horizon disaster-related work histories. Modified Poisson regression models estimated multivariable adjusted risk ratios for subfertility in relation to BTEX-H components, total BTEX, non-BTEX THC, and THC. Among male workers, higher cumulative daily average BTEX-H (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.98, 1.32) and THC (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.06, 1.31) exposures were associated with monotonically increasing subfertility risk. Among females, associations were less evident; however, increased risk was present for maximum daily average exposures to toluene and total BTEX. Overall, BTEX-H and THC exposures were associated with increased risk of subfertility among male workers, with suggestive evidence of similar associations in female workers. These findings highlight potential reproductive risks linked with OSRC work.