OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between cadmium pollution and its adverse effects on female reproductive health status in people living in cadmium polluted area in Zhenghe, Fujian provinces.

METHODSData through laboratory studies on reproductive health of female residents in Cd-pollution area were studied and compared with those in control areas in Zhenghe.

RESULTSBoth prevalence rates of abnormal menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea in unmarried women in Cd-pollution area (19.1% vs. 42.6%) were significantly higher than those in control area (5.7% vs. 18.9%) and the rates of sterility in married women in Cd-pollution area (6.3%) were significantly higher than those in control area (1.1%). During the first two pregnancies, rates of queasiness, disgorgement, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth in married women in polluted area were 44.7%, 31.7%, 10.27% and 4.23%, significantly higher than those 26.5%, 17.8%, 2.85% and 1.05% in control area, with significant differences (P < 0.05). Results from cumulative odds model analysis showed that: living in Cd-pollution area was a possible risk factor related to female reproductive health (OR = 2.072), after the other risk factors being under control.

CONCLUSIONThe female reproductive health status of people residing in the cadmium polluted area had already been deteriorated.