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Keeping Your Home Clean When Expecting

Tips for Housekeeping during Pregnancy

By Laura Cone

Before you conceive or early in your pregnancy, it's a good idea to identify products in your home that could be harmful. Be wary of the following chemicals:

• P-dichlorobenzene is a chemical frequently found in sanitizers such as toilet bowl cleaners. People who have prolonged exposure may develop anorexia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, liver disease and could lead to death in some cases.
• Formaldehyde is a chemical found in cleaning agents and air fresheners. Experts say formaldehyde is commonly used to suppress the central nervous system smell receptors so we cannot smell bad smells. It may cause cancer, disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause miscarriage and birth defects.
• Ethylene glycol butyl ether (2-butoxyethanol) is a solvent found in some carpet cleaners. It may cause reproductive problems as well as blood disorders and liver and kidney problems.
• Chloramine gas is formed when bleach and ammonia, used for general cleaning, are combined. Exposure to chloramine gas can result in sore throat, cough, wheezing and pulmonary edema.
• Acid-containing products such as drain cleaners with sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide are dangerous because of the corrosive nature of the compounds. If you have been exposed to acid-containing products you may damage the surface layers of your tissues or skin. If you ingest acid-containing products you may have abdominal pain, vomiting or nausea and sustain severe esophageal and gastric burns.