Key points
- Being exposed to high heat can increase your chances of fertility issues or other reproductive problems.
- Pregnancy can make a person more vulnerable to heat stress.
- An elevated internal body temperature during pregnancy might increase the risk of birth defects.
- Learn more about protecting yourself from heat stress at work.
Why I should be concerned about excess heat exposure
If a person's body temperature becomes higher than 39°C (102.2°F), they may suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or dehydration.
Excess heat might affect both men's and women's fertility and overall reproductive health.
Pregnancy makes a person more likely to experience heat stress. Pregnant people are also more likely to become dehydrated, which means sweating to cool the body off will be less effective.
Normally, a pregnant person's circulation helps protect the fetus. In very hot work environments or specific work situations a pregnant person's core (internal body) temperature may rise. In some cases, this has been linked to birth defects and other reproductive problems.
Who is at risk
Workers most commonly exposed to excess heat are:
- Those who work outdoors
- Those working inside without climate control during hot weather
- Manufacturing workers (e.g. glass, plastics, or fabrication)
- Healthcare workers who perform diathermy therapy
- Cooks and dishwashers in commercial kitchens (e.g. restaurants)
- Firefighters
What I can do to reduce or eliminate exposure
Take steps to prevent heat stress, like drinking plenty of fluids and taking breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned area. Avoid hot work environments which do not provide adequate cooling breaks.
Talk to your doctor or workplace safety officer to find out how to reduce your risk of heat exhaustion at work.
In healthcare, the heat from diathermy therapy is created with nonionizing radiation. If you are pregnant and administering diathermy therapy, consult with your workplace's safety officer or contact us to learn more.
We don't know what level of heat exposure is safe for every person. Follow guidelines and recommendations for your workplace to eliminate or reduce your excess heat exposure as much as possible.
Resources
Getting help
Talk to your employer or workplace safety officer about steps you can take to prevent heat stress.
For information on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, please see resources from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website.
Talk to your doctor about potential hazards at work, including excess heat exposure.