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Working In A Manufacturing Plant
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I work in a car manufacturing plant. I work on the glass line. My work isn't too stressful on my body with the machinery we use. I am around a lot of equipment and some fumes though. I'm scared to ask for any sort of change with the way that they are laying people off. Is it safe for me and my baby to work in these conditions?
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 (3 Answers) |
Wednesday 24th of March 2010 06:09:52 AM
There are more than 4 million chemical mixtures in homes and businesses in this country, with little information on the effects of most of them during pregnancy. However, a few are known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Most of these are found in the workplace, but certain environmental pollutants found in air and water, as well as chemicals used at home, may pose a risk during pregnancy.
A pregnant woman can inhale these chemicals, ingest them in food or drink, or, in some cases, absorb them through the skin. For most hazardous substances, a pregnant woman would have to be exposed to a large amount for a long time in order for them to harm her baby. Most workplaces have preventive measures to help make sure this doesn’t happen. Pregnant women can take steps to help protect themselves and their babies from pollutants and potentially risky chemicals used at home.
Lead poses health risks for everyone, but young children and unborn babies are at greatest risk. Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birthweight and developmental delays in the infant. Lead toxicity in children is characterized by behavioral and learning problems and anemia. Few pregnant women in the United States are exposed to high levels of lead. However, even low levels of exposure may cause subtle learning and behavioral problems in the child.
Mercury is another metal that is present naturally in the environment. Pregnant women are most often exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Mercury enters the environment from natural and man-made sources (such as coal-burning or other industrial pollution). It is converted by bacteria to a more dangerous form (methylmercury) that accumulates in the fatty tissues of fish. While trace amounts of mercury are present in many types of fish, mercury is most concentrated in large fish that eat other fish, such as swordfish and sharks.
rsenic and cadmium are two other metals that are suspected of posing pregnancy risks. These metals enter the environment through natural (weathering of rock and forest fires) and man-made (mining and burning of fossil fuels and waste) forces.
While arsenic is a well-known poison, the small amounts normally found in the environment are unlikely to harm a fetus. However, certain women may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic that could pose a risk. Several studies suggest that women working at or living near metal smelters may be at increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Women who live in agricultural areas where arsenic fertilizers (now banned) were used on crops or who live near hazardous waste sites or incinerators also may be exposed to higher-than-normal levels of arsenic. They can help protect themselves by having their water tested for arsenic or by drinking bottled water and limiting contact with soil. Because arsenic also is used as part of a preservative in pressure-treated lumber, pregnant women should avoid wood dust from home construction projects.
Other pesticides & organic solvent if they are also near to you avoid them also. they also harm you & your baby too.
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Monday 15th of March 2010 07:46:39 AM
No its not safe to be working in that conditions sice you are pregnant, you should avoid be in contact or near to fumes during this time, coz the subtancies of that products can help or increase the chances of affect your baby development and birth deffects as well. You should get over your afrid and ask nicely for some changes and bring your case in question and I think you must have some laws that protect you to get fired during the pregnancy, Cheers.
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Wednesday 31st of March 2010 12:08:59 PM
That completely depends on what the fumes are, how good the ventilation is, and how long you are exposed. The only way to get a safe answer is to talk to your doctor. He may be able to give you a note explaining the medical necessity of a move away from the fumes. You can also talk to someone in your Human Resources department to find out exactly what acceptable reasons for release are.
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