Follow local alerts about air quality and extreme heat. . To reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals from that tube of concealer or bottle of scented moisturizer, carefully read the ingredients. ; : 555 3 Cambridge University Press , Singla V Demeneix B ; , . Screening questions for lead exposure are further reviewed in ACOG Committee Opinion No. Parry E or call toll-free from U.S.: (800) 762-2264 or (240) 547-2156 . , , . And less than 10 per cent of birth defects , . ; : Immigrant populations working low-wage labor disproportionately work in occupations associated with a hazardous workplace environment in relation to toxic chemical exposures 18 19. Richmond-Bryant J The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine have joined the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other health professional organizations in calling for timely action to identify and reduce exposure to toxic environmental agents while addressing the consequences of such exposure 2 74 75. . . 42 CDC Reducing phthalate, paraben, and phenol exposure from personal care products in adolescent girls: findings from the HERMOSA Intervention Study The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this published product. Occupational risks and injuries in non-agricultural immigrant Latino workers 45 We will keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents , Any potential conflicts have been considered and managed in accordance with ACOGs Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy. Measurement of endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in hair products used by Black women Available at: Occupational Safety and Health Administration , , Contemp Ob/Gyn 20 5 Harmful Chemicals To Avoid During Pregnancy (2023 Guide) . 30 Medicines in pregnancy - NHS ; If youre not in a malaria hot spot or headed to a bug-infested place, you likely dont need hard-core repellents, Rotkin-Ellman says. : 2019 Companies are not required by law to disclose the ingredients of perfumes, cosmetics, and lotions, so its impossible to know if the product label shows the full list. 5 Dangerous Chemicals to Avoid During Pregnancy - Global Healing 6 . 2010 Existing clinical experience and expertise in communicating risks of treatment are largely transferable to environmental health. , Lim Kho Y If your home was built before 1978, it may have old paint or pipes that contain lead. Ji K , : Your Guide to Raising a Happy & Healthy Family - WebMD Fumes from these NHS Choices recommends: If you're pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. . Clinician contact time with a patient does not need to be the primary point of intervention. ACOG Committee Opinion No. , S296 ; Cote I Basu R , high-dose radiation. Experimental animal studies showed risks of teratogenicity due to some of the chemicals found in hair products, namely phenylenediamine, 10 aminophenols, 11 2002 2009 . . acog.org : . 2018 Sutton P Committee Opinion No. 1586 Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy. Needham LL Environmental health surveillance, including measuring and tracking chemicals in individuals and the environment, is critical to this effort 32. , The impact of toxins on the developing brain Personal care and cosmetic products may contain unrecognized toxins. ; Application of systematic review methods in an overall strategy for evaluating low-dose toxicity from endocrine active chemicals 2019 Patients should be advised that some large fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, are known to contain high levels of methylmercury, which is teratogenic 53. Disparities in distribution of particulate matter emission sources by race and poverty status 409 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024-2188, Privacy Statement 122 CDC 2012 Miranda ML ; 84 , ; . . Obstetric care clinicians do not need to be experts in environmental health science to provide useful information to patients and refer patients to appropriate specialists, if needed, when a hazardous exposure is identified. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Importance of eating well in pregnancy Having a good diet and being active will: increase your chances of becoming pregnant improve the likelihood of having a healthy baby reduce the risk of complications . , : . Am J Prev Med . Videos that explain how pollution harms male reproduction, female reproduction, and pregnancy. National Institutes of Health Liu D Ask your veterinarian for other ways to control pests or itching. 2019 ; This lack of oversight makes it even tougher for consumers to monitor what they are exposing themselves and their children to. , Woodruff TJ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Child Neurology Society, Endocrine Society, International Neurotoxicology Association, International Society for Children's Health and the Environment, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association A304 , Taylor HS Am J Public Health These words sound nice but dont come with any guarantees. Just because an ingredient is plant-based doesn't necessarily mean it wont be toxic. ; It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. Chemosphere . ; ; . Available at: Varshavsky JR , 733. Chen H Toxic chemicals can be found in food and food packagingespecially in plastic packaging, fast food wrappers, some canned food, and some produce that is not organic. Babies in utero and newly out of the womb are growing critical systems, including the reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. This information should not be considered as inclusive of all proper treatments or methods of care or as a statement of the standard of care. 55 , These endocrine disrupting chemicals represent a heterogeneous group of agents used in pesticides, plastics, industrial chemicals, and fuels. 378 Hao H 2012 , . 23 The Precautionary Principle states that in cases of serious or irreversible threats to the health of humans or ecosystems, acknowledged scientific uncertainty should not be used to postpone preventive measures 22. 400 : Scientific evidence has emerged over the past 20 years that demonstrates that prepregnancy and prenatal exposure to toxic environmental agents can have lasting effects on reproductive health across the life span 1 2 3 4 5. Environ Health Perspect It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. : Antibacterial Products to Avoid During Pregnancy . Your pregnancy to do list - NHS Sherman S There are, of course, bigger safety measures that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can take beyond what goes into the shopping cart. Graziano JH The environmental injustice of beauty: framing chemical exposures from beauty products as a health disparities concern Kogut K Lanphear BP Gore AC 61 ; 418.e1 . The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this published product. , , ; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2011 . E1 , Avoid exercising outside if there is poor air quality or if it is much hotter than normal. What chemicals should I avoid during pregnancy In some cases, cleaning supplies containing chemicals can be replaced with less toxic options. Environmental hazards education for childbirth educators Mitro SD ; , Formaldehyde: this is a chemical that can Pregnant and lactating individuals also should check local advisories regarding the safety of fish caught in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas 53. Use warm water and soap. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 409 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024-2188. . Hill-Fotouhi C . A systematic review Shoes worn outside can track chemicals into your home from the ground outside. 11 Things to Avoid During Pregnancy - What Not to Do - Healthline , . ; , . 8 131 2020 Flaws JA But you should try not to do any home repairs or remodeling, including sanding or scraping paint, in an older home when you are pregnant. Obstetriciangynecologists and other obstetric care providers in communities near coal power plants or fracking sites can stay apprised of potential adverse obstetric outcomes associated with proximity to these sites 43 44. Even better: If you cover up with long pants and sleeves, you wont need to use as much product. , Cardenas M Most clothes labeled dry-clean only can be washed with water. 155 List of Chemicals To Avoid During Pregnancy 17 It is important for obstetriciangynecologists and other obstetric care clinicians to become knowledgeable about toxic environmental exposures that are endemic to their specific geographic areas, such as local water safety advisories (eg, lead-contaminated water), local air quality levels, and patients proximity to power plants and fracking sites. 2011 Woodruff TJ : Woodruff TJ , These dangerous chemicals include phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA) and flame retardants. . , Am J Ind Med 2002;42:11723. 31 Environ Health Perspect : They can also be exposed to PFAS-containing clothing, carpets, and other items they may put in their mouths. 2003 , ; Trasande L . You can look at product safety ratings on the Environmental Working Groups Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Avoid fast food or eat it less often. Don't have an ob-gyn? Patients can be advised to thoroughly wash raw produce to reduce bacterial contamination, even if it will be peeled or cut; however, it is unclear whether this will reduce all toxic chemical exposures (eg, perchlorate or pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]) 54 55. , Climate change and womens health. Prins GS A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that happens within the first five weeks of pregnancy. Research shows that many types of chemicals found in plastics and other man-made goods are linked to health risks in fetuses and infants. . . ; If you have pets, avoid using flea collars, flea soap, or any medicine you put on the pets fur, if possible. 914 Shop with confidence by looking for a government-guaranteed label, like the EPA Safer Choice logo, on many household products, to know whether they are truly safer choices. The impact of high apparent temperature on spontaneous preterm delivery: a case-crossover study , et al Although exposure to toxic environmental agents is widespread across populations, many environmental factors that are harmful to reproductive health disproportionately affect underserved populations and are subsumed in issues of environmental justice. 2011 et al Am J Obstet Gynecol Mikati I Avoid having your clothes dry cleaned, if possible. 219 , , Our skin provides a frontline defense against the bulk of chemicals we encounter every day, but some still sneak through. 83 Washington, DC Time-to-event analysis of fine particle air pollution and preterm birth: results from North Carolina, 20012005 Do not heat up food or drinks in plastic containers or wrappers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reviews its publications regularly; however, its publications may not reflect the most recent evidence. . . , . Campion Fund: Pollution and Reproduction Notably, this environmental crisis laid the groundwork for global regulation on mercury pollution and identified seafood as a potential source of heavy metal exposure 7. , 110 Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol More research is needed to understand the link between toxic chemicals and these health concerns. et al Understanding the cumulative impacts of inequalities in environmental health: implications for policy National Academies Press Portillo S Chemicals to Avoid During Pregnancy | Cleanipedia ZA ; Yes, it is safe to eat many types of fish during pregnancy. Stick to a sensible diet: have a healthy diet in pregnancy and foods to avoid in pregnancy Start making your birth plan: how to make a birth plan Write to your American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 214 The American College of Nurse-Midwives endorses this document. Ceramic, stainless-steel, and cast iron cookware are options that do not contain a nonstick coating. , , Bulk pricing was not found for item. Temporal trends in phthalate exposures: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 20012010 WebMD ; Limit white (albacore) tuna to only 6 ounces (oz) a week. Dietary sources of cumulative phthalates exposure among the U.S. general population in NHANES 20052014 Woodruff TJ ACOG Committee Opinion No. , . Environmental impacts on reproductive health and fertility J Environ Monit 480 ; Brown TR Petreas M Patients can be counseled that preparing and storing foods in glass or nonplastic containers may reduce their risk of exposure to these plastic resins. Huang S to Avoid During Pregnancy . . Sen S , During extreme heat waves, drink plenty of water. 70 Pacheco S 131 Both indoor and outdoor air can be polluted. , Fertil Steril Zota AR Zeise L , Read the list of ingredients on beauty and personal care products. , Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. : Zuk M It may be beneficial to integrate environmental health into obstetrics and gynecology training and practice. For products jointly developed with other organizations, conflict of interest disclosures by representatives of the other organizations are addressed by those organizations. Talk with your ob-gyn about chemicals you may be exposed to at home or work. University of California San Francisco Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment Patients can be counseled that selecting cosmetic and personal care products without phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, and triclosan may lower their exposure 64. : 165 , They mimic estrogen and have been found in tumors. Zota AR . Obstetric care clinicians do not need to be experts in environmental health science to provide useful information to patients and to refer patients to appropriate specialists, if needed, when a hazardous exposure is identified. Ritz B 124 Formaldehyde How to Avoid These Chemicals Common Issues in the It is easy and cheap to make your own everyday cleaning products with common items like vinegar and baking soda. , . tobacco. Turmeric Image: Shutterstock Spices during pregnancy can be extremely beneficial and should be a part of your healthy eating plan. Table 2. 56 Pregnancy Environ Health Perspect Action at the individual level can reduce exposure to some toxic chemicals 58 59 60, but individuals alone cannot reduce many exposures. . 2005 : . , There is emerging evidence that links exposure to toxic environmental agents and adverse reproductive and developmental health outcomes 4 21 22 23 24. 605 (Organic food is grown without pesticides, which are toxic chemicals used on some farms. 905 . Toxic exposures related to reproductive and developmental health primarily have been associated with infertility and miscarriage, obstetric outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight, neurodevelopmental delay such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and adult and childhood cancer. Chang HH This is important for all food, no matter if it is organic or not organic. . Organic diets significantly lower children's dietary exposure to organophosphorus pesticides 937 Toxic chemicals to avoid when pregnant - HSE.ie Stieb DM National Academies Press . . The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists fully supports rigorous scientific investigation into links between environmental hazards and adverse reproductive and developmental health outcomes. Bromer JG 21 suppl 1 , American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists JAMA Netw Open : Moravec W Why? Moshenberg D 5 ; Fish has important nutrients for you and your fetus. A 2009 report by the National Academy of Sciences underscores that the effects of low-dose exposure to an environmental contaminant may be quite different based on characteristics such as the underlying health status of the population and the presence of additional or background environmental exposure 20. Shamasunder B Yun J , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): this is a foaming agent that can be found in shampoos, washing detergents and shower gels. : Your ob-gyn can try to help you find ways to avoid or reduce your contact with toxic chemicals. 153 Kahn LG 2006 e208243 (Replaces Committee Opinion Number 575, October 2013). Try to eat food labeled as USDA organic if you can. Nairobi In addition, the effects of exposure to environmental chemicals can be exacerbated by injustice, racism, poverty, neighborhood quality, housing quality, psychosocial stress, and nutritional status 12 13 14. Choose canned food labeled as BPA-free when possible. Hair dye usually is safe to use during pregnancy. , 2017 . PFAS: This class of manmade chemicalsPFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesis used in cosmetics, as well as in nonstick cookware, food packaging, clothing, and carpets to make these consumer goods water-, stain-, and grease-resistant. 100 Of note, although studies are limited, there is no evidence suggesting that the use of hair dye in pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. This principle can help guide clinical counseling about reduction of exposures that are known or considered to be potentially toxic until more evidence is gathered regarding the clinical efficacy of specific interventions. Tell your employer immediately if you work with chemicals or other workplace hazards. Moving environmental justice indoors: understanding structural influences on residential exposure patterns in low-income communities , 394 . , 2011 ; Phthalates are a class of substances used to increase plasticity, durability, transparency, and longevity of building supplies, personal care products, medical National Academies Press , . Janesick A Still, clinical counseling toward reduction, when possible, of exposures that are known or considered to be potentially toxic can be included in care while more evidence is gathered regarding the clinical efficacy of specific interventions and questions of causation. : : Ha S . , Educational information about workplace safety and health. , Lead is a toxic chemical that was once common in paint, metal pipes, and other items. Luben TJ Environ Health Perspect 31 Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation 6 When you breathe something in, the lungs job is to get everything in the air right into the bloodstream and send it to organs in every part of your body, Sass says. ABSTRACT: There is emerging evidence that links exposure to toxic environmental agents and adverse reproductive and developmental health outcomes. et al 124 , 878 : Available at: Management of pregnant women with presumptive exposure to Listeria monocytogenes. Dodson RE Dont believe words like natural and green, Sass says. . Endocrinology acog.org Avoid using bug spray or bug bombs at home or in your yard. Food preparation and storage can play a role in toxic exposure reduction. 82 Parenting is one of the most complex and challenging jobs you'll face in your lifetime -- but also the most rewarding. Gore AC The nonstick coating contains chemicals that may cause low birth weight. . While health professionals can clearly explain the risks from eating raw fish (particularly those contaminated with mercury), they know less about the ingredients in makeup, perfumes, lotions, shampoos, and many other products we use every day. Thats good when it comes to oxygen, but not when it comes to sunscreens and pesticide-containing bug repellents. Haynes EN In the regulatory world, chemical-based insect repellents are considered pesticidespart of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys turfso they must be labeled as such. 2016 2012 ; 2009 313 BPA, or bisphenol A, is a toxic chemical used in some cans. Typical elements of an environmental health history include assessment for exposures from the workplace, home, or recreational activities. Any potential conflicts have been considered and managed in accordance with ACOGs Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy. , ; Retirements of coal and oil power plants in California: association with reduced preterm birth among populations nearby They have now been linked to a wide range of health risks in both human and animal studiesincluding cancer (kidney and testicular), hormone disruption, liver and thyroid problems, and interference with vaccine uptake. . Toxic household products to avoid during pregnancy , Expectant and new mothers, especially, need to be careful because that adage You are what you eat can also apply to what you spray or slather on. . Available at: Doherty LF . , Parabens: These are antimicrobials used as preservatives to prevent bacteria and mold from growing in cosmetics. 1600 Environ Res , 2014 : Mathee A All rights reserved. Employment sectors at particular risk of potentially hazardous exposures during pregnancy include agriculture (pesticides), manufacturing (organic solvents and heavy metals), dry cleaning (solvents), custodial and cleaning services (organic solvents), beauty salons (solvents and phthalates), and health care (biologics and radiation) 48. Schwartz JM Benson AF Many paints include other substances that may be harmful. Grote AA . This information is designed as an educational resource to aid clinicians in providing obstetric and gynecologic care, and use of this information is voluntary. 120 Hydraulic fracturing and infant health: new evidence from Pennsylvania Reducing chemical exposures at home: opportunities for action ; 195 Figa-Talamanca I . . 30 Parenting is one of the most complex and challenging jobs you'll face in your lifetime -- but also the most rewarding. Rudel RA . Ryan PB Table 1. . , Environmental chemicals in pregnant women in the United States: NHANES 20032004 The guidance in this document comes with the understanding that some individuals and communities may have limited control over such exposures and may need to balance competing risks; therefore, recommendations are intended to guide counseling on reducing exposure where possible and to advocate for policies that will protect all populations. , , Obstetriciangynecologists and other obstetric care clinicians can be effective in reducing prenatal exposure by recognizing and responding to environmental exposures and counseling patients appropriately 66 67.