Occupational Exposures

Overview

Some breastfeeding mothers may encounter chemicals through their work. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential risk of exposure to common toxicants through breast milk for most infants.

Employers should work with mothers to reduce their exposure to occupational toxicants as much as possible. Employers should provide all workers, including breastfeeding mothers, with information about the chemicals they use. Employers should train employees about safe work practices. For more information see the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard.

Examples of occupational exposures

Chemotherapy drugs

Many chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer are cytotoxic (damages or kills cells) at very low doses. Some antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs are carcinogens (cause cancer) with no known safe level of exposure. It is best to reduce or eliminate exposure as much as possible.

For more information on working with chemotherapy drugs, see antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs.

For breastfeeding mothers exposed to chemotherapy drugs at work, learn more about reducing occupational exposure.

Dry cleaning solvents

Perchloroethylene (PCE) is the most used solvent in dry cleaning facilities. PCE is also known as PERC, perchlor, and tetrachloroethene. Studies show that PCE can enter breast milk if a mother is exposed. Greater amounts can be found in the breast milk of women exposed to higher amounts of PCE over longer periods. Few studies have looked at the effects of PCE on nursing infants. However, there are reports on neurological responses and perc exposure in children.

For mothers working in a dry cleaning facility, OSHA has information on reducing your exposure to PCE.

Ionizing radiation

Working near diagnostic x-ray sources does not affect breast milk. Receiving an x-ray also does not affect breast milk.

However, workers who handle radioactive materials, such as radioisotopes in health care and laboratories or radioactive waste, must take precautions to reduce exposure. See ionizing radiation.

Workers can also speak with their workplace radiation safety officer or the state's department of radiation protection if they have concerns.

Laboratory chemicals and agents

Laboratory work in either clinical or research laboratories can potentially expose staff to a wide range of chemicals and agents. These include solvents, formaldehyde, and infectious agents.

Some chemicals used in laboratories can enter breast milk. Breastfeeding mothers who work with chemicals should talk to their health care provider and employer about how to reduce exposure as much as possible.

Lab workers should:

• Follow recommended best practices when handling infectious materials and chemicals.
• Make sure they are using appropriate biological and chemical safety cabinets correctly.
• Check the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals they handle to make sure they are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Not all gloves or other types of PPE provide adequate protection for all chemicals. It is important to match the type of PPE to the type of chemical. If appropriate, local exhaust ventilation, such as fume hoods, exhaust ducts, and exhaust fans should be in place.

Salon chemicals

Nail, hair, and beauty salon employees are potentially exposed to many different chemicals. These include acrylates (epoxies or resins), solvents, formaldehyde, and biocides as dust or vapors. Some chemicals commonly used in salons can enter breast milk. Additionally, breastfeeding mothers who work in these settings can carry these chemicals home on their skin, clothes, and shoes.

There are ways to reduce or eliminate exposure to these chemicals at work. Learn more about working in nail salons and how to prevent take-home exposures.

Veterinary and animal care chemicals and agents

Veterinary workers may be exposed to several potentially hazardous chemicals and agents. Examples are antineoplastic drugs, antiviral drugs, anesthetic gases, disinfectants, and pesticides, such as those used for flea and mite treatments.

Additionally, veterinary workers are at risk of contracting zoonotic infections or infections acquired from animals. These hazards should be evaluated individually to determine breastfeeding safety.

There are ways to reduce or eliminate exposure to these chemicals and other workplace hazards. Learn more about veterinary safety and health.

Using personal protective equipment

Employers should conduct a workplace-specific hazard assessment to determine potential workplace exposures and the types of controls needed to reduce those exposures.

Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. PPE is one workplace control. PPE is equipment worn to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and other workplace hazards. Types of PPE include:

• Gloves
• Protective clothing
• Goggles
• Respirators

The specific chemicals and other hazards being used determine the type of PPE needed. PPE must also be worn and maintained correctly, or it might provide little or no protection.

PPE may reduce exposure to chemicals but does not eliminate it completely. Breastfeeding mothers should talk to their employers about the types of PPE recommended for their work. Learn more at Personal Protective Equipment—Reproductive Health.

Explore more

• Promoting Worker Well-Being Through Maternal and Child Health: Breastfeeding Accommodations in the Workplace—CDC
• Reproductive Hazards of the Workplace—MotherToBaby
• Take-Home Exposures — Reproductive Health—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health—NIOSH
• Breastfeeding and Your Job — Reproductive Health—NIOSH
• Reproductive Hazards—OSHA