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Pregnancy and Chemical Research

Pregnancy and Chemical Research. Identifying exposure, assessing risk, and mitigating risk. Pregnancy and Chemical Research. Researchers in chemical labs who are pregnant need to be aware of potential health hazards to them and their fetus Teratogens Ionizing radiation

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Pregnancy and Chemical Research

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  1. Pregnancy and Chemical Research Identifying exposure, assessing risk, and mitigating risk

  2. Pregnancy and Chemical Research Researchers in chemical labs who are pregnant need to be aware of potential health hazards to them and their fetus • Teratogens • Ionizing radiation • Infectious diseases • When a worker becomes aware of a pregnancy, they should: • Identify potential exposure to hazards • Consult resources regarding those hazards • Develop risk mitigation strategies European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Directive 2007/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 Kling, Jim “Alone in Lab.” ScienceCareer Magazine 7 April 2006 <http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_04_07/nodoi.16787403986169116343>

  3. Identifying Exposure • Chemical • Teratogens • Biological • Infectious diseases • Physical • Noise • Radiation • Extreme cold/heat • Heavy lifting • Physical fatigue (standing or sitting too long) Keep in mind that exposure limits are often several orders of magnitude lower for pregnant women due to fetus sensitivity. Exposure is especially significant in the first 14 to 60 days of pregnancy. University of Minnesota Chemical Hygiene Plan accessed 4 April 2013 http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/safety/tables/tabXVIII.htm European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Directive 2007/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007

  4. Assessing Risk • Consult at least 2-3 health sources regarding hazard • Material safety data sheets (MSDS) • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Understand amount and duration of exposure • Consider volumes, concentrations • Exposure testing is available through DEHS Kling, Jim “Alone in Lab.” ScienceCareer Magazine 7 April 2006 <http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_04_07/nodoi.16787403986169116343> MSDS for benzene

  5. Mitigating Risk • Work with someone to develop a plan to avoid exposure to hazards • Principle Investigator • Lab Safety Officer • DEHS Contact • You can choose to treat all chemicals as potentially hazardous substances • Use engineering controls (hoods, shields) • Always wear proper PPE; perhaps increase frequency of glove changes, consider splash apron, etc. • When in doubt, ask Pregnant workers who declare their pregnancy have a right to request accommodation to avoid exposure to reproductive hazards Dicks, Lynn “The Top 5 Challenges for Pregnant Scientists.” ScienceCareer Magazine7 April 2006 <http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_04_07/nodoi.10636024449169885694>

  6. Additional Resources • Science Careers magazine feature articles on Pregnancy & the Lab • http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_04_07/nodoi.14914624199943288521 • 1992 European Directive on pregnant women and new mothers (law in European Union, helpful ideas for discussing risk mitigation with superiors) • https://osha.europa.eu/data/legislation/10 • Departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan • http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/safety/ChemHygPlan.html • International Labor Organization Reproductive Health Hazards Module (includes more comprehensive teratogen list) • http://actrav.itcilo.org/actrav-english/telearn/osh/rep/prod.htm

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