Occupational exposure to synthetic estrogens--the need to establish safety standards.

An environmental survey of a plant formulating oral contraceptives demonstrated considerable variation in possible synthetic estrogen exposure to the plant personnel. Clinical epidemiological studies showed evidence of increased absorption of estrogens in some employees at the plant. In view of the company's considerable efforts to suppress dust from work areas, new approaches to containment may be necessary with biologically active dusts--including the establishment of a dust standard.