Chemicals
Chemicals are in everything we touch, breathe and taste. There are some chemicals that are best to avoid for your own health and your ability to conceive a baby.
Chemicals are in everything we touch, breathe and taste. There are some chemicals that are best to avoid for your own health and your ability to conceive a baby.
Scientists are still studying the effects of chemicals on sperm, eggs and developing babies.
Being careful about the chemicals you use at home, work or play when you’re trying to become pregnant or conceive a baby is best. Some chemicals could affect ovulation and may change sperm or testosterone levels.
If you use well water from a private supply, have it tested. This can include testing for chemicals or impurities. Some of these, including lead, could harm a developing baby. Learn more about testing here.
There are some chemicals you should avoid when you’re trying to become pregnant or conceive a baby. These include lead, mercury, asbestos and solvents.
Lead can harm your nervous system, bloodstream and kidney health.
You can reduce your lead exposure by:
Here are some other ways to avoid lead.
Some crystal contains lead. Some pottery or ceramics have lead in the glaze. Don’t store food or beverages in containers if you’re not sure if it has lead in it.
Some toys or jewellery that are made outside of North America, may have lead in them. Check labels. If you are not sure about whether the product has lead or not, don’t buy or use it.
Mercury found in some fish and shellfish can cause birth defects and mental disabilities in a developing baby.
A person with a high level of mercury can also have trouble becoming pregnant or staying pregnant.
Learn more about how to reduce your exposure to mercury in fish or shellfish.
If you are exposed to mercury in the workplace it can lead to mental and physical changes that can have serious negative health effects.
Asbestos can damage the lungs and lead to lung disease and cancer.
It can be found in older homes and buildings. It may be in plaster walls, pipes, flooring, paint, insulation, or cement blocks.
You can reduce your exposure to asbestos by always having asbestos testing and removal done by trained professionals.
Solvents may cause breathing problems and damage organs (e.g., kidneys, liver, reproductive).
You can reduce your risk of exposure to solvents by:
Pesticides can cause headaches, nausea or dizziness and can lead to nerve damage or hormonal imbalances.
You can reduce your risk of exposure to pesticides by:
Learn more about occupational hazards.
Learn more about environmental hazards to see how many of these substances you come in contact with throughout your day.
Some people are exposed to chemicals through their job.
If you are exposed to chemicals in your workplace, there are some ways to reduce your risk:
Examples of jobs that people may have exposure to chemicals include:
Learn more about work safety and occupational hazards.
If you work in any of the following areas, there are risks that you need to be aware of.
Healthcare risks:
Printing & Cleaning Services risks:
Cosmetology risks:
Agricultural risks:
If a pregnant person is exposed to lead it can cause:
Mercury found in some fish and shellfish can cause birth defects and mental disabilities in a developing baby.
People with a high level of mercury can also have difficulty becoming or staying pregnant. Learn more about safer food alternatives here.
Older homes can have lead in the paint or asbestos in the walls, pipes, flooring, paint, insulation or cement blocks.
Learn more about safer renovations here.
Use low volatile organic compound (VOC) products. These can include paint, glue and coatings. There are also low-emission carpets that release fewer chemicals into the air.
Learn more about VOCs here.
You can call the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) at 1-800-332-1414 for information on chemicals.
Talk with your health care provider if you are concerned about household chemicals or chemicals in your workplace.
To learn more about the safety of chemicals you may be using in your home, click here.
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