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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists marks Maternal Health Awareness Day annually on January 23. Research shows that efforts to reduce the risk of exposure to certain workplace reproductive health hazards help improve outcomes for employees and their offspring.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), reproductive health risks may be chemical, physical, or biological in nature. Potential routes of exposure include inhalation, ingestion, and/or skin absorption. In some cases, exposure to certain substances or agents may impair fetal development or cause a miscarriage.
Some exposure risks are more apparent than others. For example, in a study of 144 women working in industrial settings who were or had been pregnant, workload intensity, high temperatures, strong odors, and shift work were found to be contributing factors in pregnancy and menstrual cycle disorders. A study of 733 women in healthcare occupations found that:
Pregnant women experience exposure risks differently from their non-pregnant co-workers because of the changes that are occurring in their bodies. In a paper on the effects of work during pregnancy, researchers reported:
Here are some suggestions for employers:
Questions? Consult with WorkCare’s occupational health subject matter experts on maternal health exposure risks in your workplace and ways to help mitigate them. We’re here to help.
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