Johns Hopkins University-IBM Study JHU

Following the announcement of the results of the UMASS-Digital Equipment Corporation study, IBM requested JHU to perform two epidemiological studies at IBM semiconductor plants. The request was for an historical cohort study and a prospective study. The objectives of the studies were to determine if. . there was an excess of adverse reproductive health effects among clean room employees, compared with employees working in other manufacturing areas or non-manufacturing environments and to determine whether any specific processes or chemicals were associated with adverse reproductive health outeomes. With this two-study approach, JHU was able to assess both current and past risks. 

Historical Cohort Study. Overview. The historical cohort study covered the period from 1980-1990, the prospective study covered the period from June 1989-September 1991. For a married male or female to be eligible for inclusion in the historical cohort study, he or she must have been between 20 and 44 years of age, have worked at IBM for at least 6 months, and not have imdergone surgical sterilization prior to 1980. Wives of the male employees were included in the study. In addition, a sample of women volimtarily terminated from IBM was included. Detailed work histories 

Prospective Cohort Study. Overview. A total of 148 current female employees were recruited to participate in the prospective cohort study. To be eligible, the woman must have been under 40 years of age planning a family not using hormonal contraception or have been surgically sterilized. These 148 women were required to take daily urine 

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