ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND PREGNANCY IN THE LABORATORY

It is prudent for individuals of childbearing age to consider potential reproductive hazards (e.g. chemicals, biological agents, and ionizing radiation) in the laboratory environment. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) can assist with reproductive hazard identification, risk assessment and formulating risk mitigation strategies. A physician or medical professional should be consulted to perform an individual risk assessment if there are additional questions or concerns related to an individual's health status. Conditions such as asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, etc., can compromise immune function and increase vulnerability to infections.

The information below is provided as a resource to assist you in identifying laboratory related risks and developing potential mitigation strategies when working in the laboratory environment. In most cases, following standard, prudent laboratory safety practices allows individuals who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or of reproductive age, to work safely.

HOW CAN I ASSESS CHEMICALS THAT MAY HARM MY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OR BABY?

Exposure to certain chemicals may have a negative effect on the reproductive capability of both women and men. Some chemicals may pass from mother to fetus and/or from mother to baby through breastfeeding; most relevant are the categories of reproductive toxins, which include teratogens and embryotoxins, carcinogens and mutagens. When evaluating laboratory chemicals for reproductive risks, a GHS-compliant chemical label is your first source for this information. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) can provide further details and useful indicators, such as standardized Hazard Statements, which can be found under Section 2, "Hazards Identification" of the SDS. Examples include:

• H340 May cause genetic defects
• H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
• H350 May cause cancer
• H351 Suspected of causing cancer
• H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child
• H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
• H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children

Personnel should conduct a self-assessment to identify chemicals meeting the above criteria; summarize the frequency, duration and quantities used, location of work and engineering controls, and PPE. The EHS Chemical Safety Officer and/or Industrial Hygienists can review this information and discuss any chemical concerns that are specific to your research, in addition to performing discreet visits upon request.

HOW CAN I ASSESS BIOHAZARDS THAT MAY HARM MY BABY?

Some biological agents (e.g., Toxoplasma Gondii) present increased risk to reproductive health. Consult your laboratory's Biosafety e-Manual for a list of biological agents in use in the laboratory environment. Personal health status may impact an individual's susceptibility to infection, ability to receive immunizations or prophylactic interventions. Women of child-bearing age, planning to become pregnant, or currently pregnant are encouraged to self-identify to the occupational healthcare provider, UVA WorkMed (434-243-0075), for appropriate counseling and guidance.

How can I assess radiation hazards during pregnancy?

Many women have concerns about radiation exposure and its effects during pregnancy. For women to make informed decisions regarding their work around radiation, a clear understanding of the risk of radiation exposure during pregnancy, including risk to the fetus, is required. Understanding the magnitude of the risk and mechanisms to limit exposure are necessary in order to feel comfortable in the work environment. If a woman wishes to become pregnant while working around sources of radiation, there are precautions that can be taken. See the EHS webpage Pregnancy & Radiation Exposure for more information.

HOW CAN I REDUCE EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS IN MY LABORATORY DURING PREGNANCY?

In general, the control measures shown below are relevant regardless of personal health status; however, there may be additional strategies to reduce exposure when pregnant or considering pregnancy.

• Elimination of Hazardous Tasks - Consider whether any potentially hazardous tasks can be temporarily transferred to other personnel. As an example, having a colleague dilute hazardous stock solutions for you can reduce your risk by eliminating your interaction with concentrated toxins. This is an excellent short-term option whenever possible.
• Substitution of Hazards - Mitigating hazards through substitution, such as using alcohol thermometers instead of mercury thermometers or substituting safer alternatives for ethidium bromide, can reduce your potential risk without affecting your research goals. The practicality of substitutions is specific to each field or project and should be considered where possible. Consult with your Principal Investigator, supervisor, and/or EHS about potential substitutions.
• Engineering and Administrative Controls - Engineering and administrative controls can be an effective means to reduce risks of exposure; however, reviewing controls early on in pregnancy is important since some controls are user-specific and may not be effective throughout your pregnancy due to physical changes, reduced mobility, etc. As an example, engineering controls such as chemical fume hoods, glove boxes, biosafety cabinets, etc., generally impose mild ergonomic stress on users, which may be more intensive or restrictive for pregnant personnel. In addition, consider how administrative controls, such as standard operating procedures, lab-specific training, etc., can be adapted for safety needs throughout all stages of your pregnancy. EHS is available to evaluate controls in a discreet manner and discuss the choice, operation, and relevant safety features of engineering controls; consult on administrative controls; and/or help plan for future modifications to any current controls.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - PPE serves as the last line of defense against exposure. No PPE is a perfect barrier. For example, it is important to consider permeation and breakthrough times specific to the chemicals, biological agents, and ionizing radiation you may encounter in the laboratory environment. PPE is user-specific, therefore any PPE provided before pregnancy may need to be resized (e.g., lab coats), retested (e.g., respirators), or reevaluated (e.g., lead aprons). Contact EHS if you have questions about evolving PPE needs.
• Basic Hygiene Practices - Prevent accidental ingestion or contamination of research materials by practicing basic hygiene in the laboratory. Never eat, drink, chew gum, apply cosmetics, or make other hand-to-mouth/face contact in the laboratory. Avoid handling 'clean' personal items, like cell phones, with gloved hands. Always wash your hands with soap and water after removing gloves and when leaving the laboratory.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Contact EHS for an assessment to help determine what actions, if any, are recommended to reduce or eliminate exposure to reproductive hazards. EHS will take every measure we can to protect your privacy, and will not disclose personal information to anyone, including supervisors, without your express permission. Completion of a declaration of pregnancy is required to obtain accommodation to limit ionizing radiation exposure. If additional work accommodations are determined necessary to protect personnel, EHS will typically need to involve an individual's supervisor. However, EHS will pursue discreet opportunities whenever possible.

You may speak with your supervisor at any time you feel comfortable doing so.

WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I STILL HAVE HAZARD QUESTIONS?

• Chemical or general laboratory questions? Contact the UVA Chemical Safety Officer.
• Biological agent questions? Contact the UVA Biosafety Officer and/or WorkMed.
• Ionizing radiation questions? Contact the UVA Radiation Safety Officer.

WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I STILL HAVE MEDICAL QUESTIONS?

Contact your primary physician, obstetrician, and/or UVA WorkMed to discuss medical questions or concerns. While EHS cannot provide medical advice, we can provide information to medical professionals upon request.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

UVA Policy: Radiation Worker Protection during Pregnancy
UVA SDS Database
CDC/NIOSH Reproductive Health
MotherToBaby
PubChem