Related topics
NICU Family Support®
Your gift helps provide comfort and support to families with a baby in the NICU.
Donation amount:
Get the app
Spread the word about March for Babies on Facebook and raise money online.
Staying safe
- Keep away from things that can hurt you or your baby.
- Smoking and abuse can be harmful during pregnancy.
- Stay safe, seek help and ask your provider any questions.
Hazardous substances
What you need to know
Some substances and chemicals—such as solvents, paints, cleaners and pesticides—can cause birth defects or increase your risk of miscarriage.
Some substances and chemicals—such as solvents, paints, cleaners and pesticides—can cause birth defects or increase your risk of miscarriage.
Substances to watch out for include cigarette smoke, lead (in water and paint), carbon monoxide, mercury, solvents, paint, paint thinners, benzene and formaldehyde.
What you can do
If you must live or work around these substances, minimize your exposure:
If you must live or work around these substances, minimize your exposure:
- Make sure your workplace is well ventilated.
- Wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves or a facemask.
- Let someone else paint the baby’s room and stay away until the fumes are gone.
- Check with your local water authority or health department if you are worried about the quality of your tap water. You can also drink bottled water while you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
- Be careful when handling fluorescent light bulbs. If broken, they may release mercury.
See also: Environmental hazards and pregnancy
April 2008
Things to avoid
- Changing cat litter
- Hot baths, hot tubs and saunas
- Lead exposure from old pipes and faucets
- Mercury from broken bulbs and thermometers
- Pesticides and certain chemicals (check labels)
© 2011 March of Dimes Foundation. The March of Dimes is a non-profit
organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section
501(c)(3).