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Household Hazards During Pregnancy
How to Protect Your Unborn Baby
By P. Christine Smith
Dr. Moore adds that it has not been determined whether chronic exposure of pregnant women to such agents has a long-term neurological effect on babies and children, "but there is no data I am aware of showing clearly they are dangerous." However, the rule of thumb is to limit exposure to such chemicals, such as a change in work environment for pregnant women who use such chemicals on the job, and to use the protection of rubber gloves and a well-ventilated room when using such products at home.
In addition, pregnant women should allow someone else to paint the nursery. According to Dr. Moore, "Newer water-based paints are theoretically safer. They should be applied ideally by someone other than the pregnant person and the house should be well-ventilated." If the expectant mom must paint the room, Dr. Moore advises to keep the room well-ventilated.
The stripping of old paint should be performed by someone other than the expectant mom, due to the possibility of older paints containing lead. Homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint, and one way people can get lead into their bodies is through breathing in lead dust during renovations that disturb painted surfaces. According to information released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead exposure can harm babies even before they are born, resulting in damage to the brain and nervous system.
Cat owners beware. Toxoplasmosis is another household concern, according to Dr. Moore. Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a protozoan, a single cell or group of identical cells, living as parasites within animals. "The most common means of transmission is by fomites (aerosolized feces).and outside cats are a common vector," Dr. Moore warns. Therefore, women "probably should not change the cat (litter) box during pregnancy." Toxoplasmosis, when contracted by the fetus, damages the central nervous system, eyes and the internal organs. In the United States, toxoplasmosis is more commonly found in the east and the south than in the western part of the country.
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