Your Reproductive Health and Hazardous Materials

Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals can cause infertility, miscarriage, premature labor, deformities and/or premature rupture of the membranes. It can also cause Down's syndrome, nervous system disorders and stillbirth.

Carbon monoxide is dangerous to you and your developing baby. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by most combustion processes. This includes your car, lawnmower, charcoal grill, gas furnace and clothes dryer. You can limit the amount of carbon monoxide you are exposed to by opening windows when using gas appliances and make sure that vents are connected and unclogged on the dryer. Have your car checked for any exhaust leakage and do not ever sit in a closed garage with your car running. When you are driving in heavy traffic, close the windown and air vents in your car.

Any type of product that emits pollutants into the air can be troublesome to your health and your developing baby's health. Perfumes, hair sprays, laundry sprays and starches, cooking sprays, fabric protectants and air fresheners all fall into this category. Wear gloves and use them sparingly in a well vented area. Always use air pumps rather than aerosol sprays.

You should limit the amount of lead that you come into contact with. Lead is found in outdoor and indoor paiont, furniture, cooking pans, canned goods and art materials. Lead can also be found in water where corroded lead pipes are. If you are concerned about the amount of lead you are exposed to, you can contact your local health department or CDC for testing suggestions.

In the workplace, ask your employer about the chemicals that you are exposed to. If you suspect that you are being exposed to dangerous substances, ask to be switched to another department within the company. Read all labels carefully to make sure that you are not using toxic products. You should stay away from asbestos. If the building that you are working in was made with asbestos, ask to be transferred to a safer area or find a new job.

Other hazardous susbstances that affect the reproductive process are carbon disulfide, DES, methyl, pesticides, cadmium, mercury, kepone, DDT, vinyl chloride, anesthetic gases and busulfan. You should avoid going outdorrs during pollution alerts. If you work or live in a city that has pollution alerts, stay indoors and keep the windows closed and the air conditioner on.

If you think that you are being exposed to any harmful susbstances and you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should speak with your employer, landlord and doctor. Not only do these harmful substances jeopardize your health, they are harmful for your growing baby and family.