Reproductive Health and The Workplace

About Exposures and Reproductive Health

At a glance

  • This page provides links to information about specific workplace hazards that can affect a worker's hormones, sexual function, and reproductive health.
  • This information can be shared with workers, occupational safety professionals, and healthcare providers.
  • The linked pages provide resources to reduce harm from specific reproductive hazards in the workplace.
Pregnant workers in laboratory work, construction, and a nail salon are shown working.

Prevention overview

There are general actions that both workers and employers can take to reduce workers' exposure to reproductive health hazards. Personal protective equipment can also help protect workers. Specific prevention methods depend on which reproductive health hazard is present in the workplace.

Learn about specific reproductive health hazards

Some common workplace hazards are harmful to workers' reproductive health. Learn more about each reproductive health hazard and ways to reduce or prevent exposure to them:

Healthcare workers wearing PPE and providing anesthetic gas to patient

About Anesthetic Gases and Reproductive Health

An informational page about the dangers of anesthetic gases during pregnancy.
Various antineoplastic drugs

About Antineoplastic Drugs and Reproductive Health

Describes antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs and their potential effects on reproductive health.
Healthcare worker wearing PPE

About Chemical Disinfectants and Sterilants and Reproductive Health

Describes potential effects of chemical disinfectants and sterilants and how to prevent exposure.
African American man riding bicycle

About Contact Stress and Reproductive Health

Describes contact stress and how to prevent it.
Nail salon worker holding manicured nails over drying fan

About Epoxies and Resins and Reproductive Health

Describes the potential effects of epoxies/resins on reproductive health and how to limit exposure.
Nail technician wearing gloves, working with someone's fingernails.

About Formaldehyde and Reproductive Health

Recommendations for mothers of how to avoid health issues with formaldehyde during pregnancy.
Female farmer kneeling down and harvesting crop in sunshine

About Heat Exposure and Reproductive Health

An informational page on the dangers of heat exposure during pregnancy.
Female healthcare provider working with a pregnant patient, both wearing PPE.

About Infectious Agents and Reproductive Health

Describes infectious agents and their potential effect on reproductive health.
Male and female aircrew members walking in an airport.

About Ionizing Radiation and Reproductive Health

Information and a warning about the effects of ionizing radiation on reproductive health.
Close-up of a worker's hands working with lead.

About Lead and Other Heavy Metals and Reproductive Health

Describes lead and other heavy metals and their potential effect on reproductive health.
Female worker wearing hearing protection.

About Noise and Reproductive Health

How mothers can protect a developing baby from noise during pregnancy.
Woman undergoing infrared light therapy facial treatment

About Nonionizing Radiation and Reproductive Health

Descriptions of what nonionizing radiation is and how if affects reproductive health.
A worker wearing PPE sprays pesticide outside.

About Pesticides and Reproductive Health

Information about pesticides and their effect on reproductive health.
Female working in an orchard.

About Physical Job Demands and Reproductive Health

Describes physical workplace demands and their potential effect on reproductive health.
Hand holding a burning cigarette

About Secondhand Smoke and Reproductive Health

Learn more about secondhand smoke and reducing your exposure for a healthy pregnancy.
Chef cooking at a restaurant flaming the food - small business concept

About Smoke/Combustion Byproducts and Reproductive Health

Learn about the dangers of inhaling smoke to your reproductive health and ways to avoid them.
Scientist wearing gloved and eye protection, looking at a test tube.

About Solvents and Reproductive Health

Describes solvents and their potential effect on reproductive health.
A female worker wearing a hardhat and safety vest standing in front of a work truck.

About Work Schedules and Reproductive Health

Working at night and working long hours can affect menstrual and reproductive health.
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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health