“I think every working mom probably feels the same thing: You go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible – oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible” – Tina Fey
Of the many women currently working, 75% are of child bearing age. Child bearing age usually ranges from around 20-35 years old. Therefore many children are born to working mama’s. We become concerned about a women’s health at this age and especially what she is exposed to in her working environment. We are already aware that consuming alcohol, smoking and bad eating habits can affect pregnancy but what about exposures in the workforce. The smallest trace of chemical you come across may not be harmful to you, but it may be harmful to your developing baby. It can lead to miscarriage, birth defects and infertility if not taken seriously. We’re going to leave this informative table here for you to view and evaluate your workplace to see if you may need checked or screened. This is NOT an exhaustive list…it is just a few examples. If you feel that you may be exposed to something unsafe for you make sure you communicate with your workplace or do some research on your own.
Table 1: Chemical & Physical Agents that are Reproductive Hazards for Women
| AGENT | OBSERVED EFFECTS | POTENTIALLY EXPOSED WORKERS |
| Cancer Treatment Drugs (ex. Methotrexate) | Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, low birth weight | Health Care Workers, Pharmacists |
| Certain Ethylene Glycol Ethers such as 2-ethoxyethanol and 2-methoxyethanol | Miscarriages | Electronic and Semi-Conductor Workers |
| Carbon Disulfide | Menstrual Cycle Changes | Vicose Rayon Workers |
| Lead | Infertility, Miscarriage, Low Birth Weight, Developmental Disorders | Battery Makers, Solderers, Welders, Radiator Repairers, Bridge Painters, Firing Range Workers, Home Remodelers |
| Ionizing Radiation | Infertility, Miscarriage, Birth Defects, Low Birth Weight, Developmental Disorders, Childhood Cancers | Health Care Workers, Dental, Atomic Workers |
| Strenuous Physical Labor | Miscarriage, Premature Delivery | Many Types of Workers |
We feel that this subject can sometimes get overlooked but it is extremely important, especially since most of the workforce is 20-30 year old millennial. Let’s keep our working mothers safe!
Safety Girl Blog 