Reviewer’s report
Title: The effects of occupational pollutants on the reproductive health of female informal street traders
in Warwick Junction, Durban, South Africa – a cross-sectional study
Version: 0 Date: 21 Aug 2019
Reviewer: Gaetano Riemma
Reviewer's report:
I am really pleased to review the manuscript entitled "The effects of occupational pollutants on the
reproductive health of female informal street traders in Warwick Junction, Durban, South Africa - a
cross- sectional study".
This  study was a cross-sectional evaluation of reproductive outcomes between exposed and non-
exposed to pollutants worker in Durban, South Africa.
The  authors  stated  the  women,  who  were  exposed  to  pollutants  may  have  an  increased  risk  of
developing adverse reproductive outcomes.
The paper was well written and the authors decided to perform a research on a debated hot topic.
However, few minor concerns have been underlined while reviewing the manuscript and should be
resolved by the authors.
Abstract
Line 32 (abstract): "in" should be deleted
Line 40: this sentence is too generic to be a conclusion for the abstract. Please refer it to the study
population.
Background
Line 26 (page 5): citations needed.
Line 6-16 (page 6): this paragraph should be connected with the ones in the discussion section that
describes the results of the same papers cited [8;13]
Methods
Line 2 (page 7): the authors should explain the exclusion criteria (if any).
A more accurate description of pollutants to be found in exposed cohort should be added.
Discussion
The discussion needs to be expanded. A more accurate description of pollutants is needed. I suggest the
authors to discuss the findings written in those research articles:
-Simonelli A et al 2017 (doi 10.1007/s00420-016-1171-1. PMID: 27718009)
-Blum JL et al 2017 (doi: 10.1289/EHP1029. PMID: 28893721)
-Wylie Bj et al 2014 (doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-1. PMID: 24405644)
The manuscript was well written in English and there is no need for a native speaker check.
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Does the work include the necessary controls?
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional
statistical review?
If  an  additional  statistical  review  is  recommended,  please  specify  what  aspects  require  further
assessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statistics
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
Acceptable
Declaration of competing interests
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this
manuscript, either now or in the future?
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financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the
manuscript?
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that holds
or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?
6. Do you have any non-financial competing interests in relation to this paper?
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' below. If
your reply is yes to any, please give details below.
I declare that I have no competing interests.
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