Pregnancy, chemicals and household hazards

Exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, abnormal fetal growth and pregnancy complications. Chemicals that cause birth defects are known as teratogens. Lead is one of the most important household teratogens. Other household chemicals that should be avoided during pregnancy include carbon monoxide, pesticides and certain cleaning products. Not all exposures to harmful chemicals result in problems. The amount of the chemical, how long you were exposed, and whenduring your pregnancy you were exposed influence the outcome.


Carbon monoxide
Exposure to carbon monoxide during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal injury or death. The colorless, odorless gas carbon monoxide is produced whenever carbon-based fuels such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal are burned. Carbon monoxide gas can build up to dangerous levels if appliances, such as gas stoves, heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, water heaters or clothes dryers, aren't properly vented or maintained. Tobacco smoke, running a car in a closed garage, or using a charcoal grill indoors are also important sources of carbon monoxide.
To prevent carbon monoxide exposure, follow these preventive measures:

Be sure that all appliances that use carbon-based fuel, as well as the vents and the chimney, work properly. Have them inspected and serviced at least once a year.

Do not operate gas-burning engines in confined areas, even with ventilation. This includes basements and garages.

Avoid car exhaust, including walking near streets with heavy traffic.

Do not use charcoal grills inside a closed area.

Do not use a gas oven to heat your home.

Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Avoid tobacco smoke. Inhaling tobacco smoke, either through smoking yourself or from secondhand smoke, increases the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood, which replaces oxygen. This means that when you inhale smoke during pregnancy, the blood flowing through the umbilical cord to your baby contains less oxygen.
The nicotine in tobacco constricts blood flow, which makes the situation worse. When you smoke, your baby gets less oxygen and nourishment, which stunts growth and development. Nicotine also increases your heart rate and blood pressure. In turn, nicotine increases your baby's heart rate, placing it under unnecessary stress. Finally, other harmful compounds in cigarette smoke reach your baby after they circulate through your system.

Encourage any smokers in your home to smoke only outside the home and away from you. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. If you quit early in your pregnancy (preferably before 16 weeks gestation), your baby is less likely to develop problems. Remember, it's never too late to quit. Quitting at any time during the pregnancy will reduce smoking's harmful effects.


Cleaning products
Because cleaning products may contain strong chemicals, be careful to:
Avoid using cleaners that create fumes or strong odors. Never mix ammonia with chlorine -- it will give off a deadly gas.
Wear gloves when working with cleaning products.
Use cleaning products in areas with good ventilation.
Use products with pump sprays instead of aerosols.
Avoid using dry -cleaning fluids, oven cleaners and other products labeled as toxic.
If you have concerns about product safety, choose safe alternatives such as baking soda as a powdered cleanser or vinegar and water as a cleaning solution.


Lead
Lead can be toxic, especially to children and unborn babies. If you're exposed to lead during pregnancy, your baby may develop neurological problems, not grow well, or be premature. You may also have a higher risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. Exposure occurs when you ingest or inhale lead in contaminated air, drinking water, food or soil. Sources of lead include:
Paint: Newer paints are lead-free, but older paint that's chipping may still contain lead.

If you have lead paint in your home, do not remove it yourself. Improper removal can increase your exposure. Instead, hire a specially trained lead removal contractor to do the work.

If you're renovating an older home before your baby is born, plan to be away while the work is being done to decrease your chances of exposure to lead dust.

Test for lead in your home, especially if it was built before 1978. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a lead inspector, risk assessor or certified lab, rather than a do-it-yourself kit. For more information on testing, call the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD.
Drinking water: Sometimes, lead can seep into your water through the pipes in your home. The EPA recommends having the lead content of your water tested by a competent lab. For more information on testing, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 424-4791. Until testing is done or if you've been informed that your water contains too much lead, flush the pipes of the faucet you want to use by running cold water until the water is as cold as it will get. This may take two minutes or longer. (Keep in mind this may be ineffective in high-rise buildings.)

You can use the flushed water on your plants or for other nonfood uses. Use only water from the cold faucet for drinking or cooking. After flushing your pipes, you may want to fill clean containers with water to use later in the day. Flush the pipes again anytime the faucet has not been used for six hours or more.

Ceramic ware: The glaze on ceramic ware may contain lead. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed standards for the use of these glazes to help prevent lead exposure. To further reduce your risk:

Avoid storing food in ceramic ware, especially acidic food such as juice, vinegar and coffee.

Never store food in ceramic ware meant for decoration. Ceramic ware meant only for decoration and made in the United States should be clearly marked as such. Pieces made in foreign countries may not be marked for particular uses and should be avoided for food service or preparation.

Commercially made ceramic ware is subject to more controls and may be a better choice for use with food. Handmade or hand-painted pottery may be a safe option if lead-free glaze is used.

Antique ceramic ware may have high levels of lead. Avoid them if you're unsure of the lead content or the glaze develops a chalky gray residue after washing.
Food packaging: Until 1995, lead was used in the United States to solder tin cans in food packaging. Because lead may still be used in this way in other countries, it's best to avoid storing food in opened cans, especially the imported variety.

Leaded glassware and china: Lead may leach into food from leaded glassware and china. Avoid storing or serving food in leaded glasses or china. Also, avoid lead crystal glassware and lead crystal baby bottles.

Imported cosmetics: Do not use eye cosmetics from the Middle East that contain kohl, also called alkahl, kajal or surma. Kohl contains potentially harmful levels of lead.

Imported digestive remedies: Avoid foreign digestive remedies containing lead, such as Alarcon, Azarcon, Coral, Greta, Liga, Maria Luisa or Rueda. (Greta is 99 percent lead oxide.)

Hobbies: Lead is contained in products used for some hobbies, such as stained glass, ceramics, oil painting and fishing. Avoid use of these lead products during pregnancy.

Note: The FDA considers progressive hair dyes, which contain lead acetate, safe to use during pregnancy.


Paint
The effect of inhaling paint fumes during pregnancy has not been determined. Avoid oil-based paints and paint thinner completely. Avoid using other paints in enclosed areas. (It may be best to let someone else do big painting jobs anyhow due to the physical movements required and the standing involved.)

Pesticides
Avoid all pesticides, including those used on people, places, plants and pets. Research on the effect of pesticides during pregnancy has not been conclusive.

Water
If your drinking water comes from a public water source, the quality is regulated by the EPA. If you have concerns about the quality of your tap water, you may want to use bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water, but its quality may vary depending on the source and how it has been treated. It can also be expensive. Another alternative to tap water is a water filter. Many types of filters are available -- you may want to choose one that has been tested and certified to perform as stated on the package. Certification is done by NSF International, a nonprofit organization concerned with water quality.
If you have a private well, you are responsible for the quality of your water. The EPA recommends annual testing for contaminants, as well as testing anytime you suspect a problem, such as an unusual taste or color to the water. If you have concerns about the quality of your drinking water, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 for more information. You may also contact your public health department or local water supplier.

If you have any concerns about these products or others not mentioned here, discuss them with your doctor.