Environmental Hazards in Pregnancy
Exposure to hazardous materials in pregnancy may lead to negative health effects for pregnant people and their baby.
These include; miscarriage, stillbirth, delayed fetal growth, birth defects, and increased risk for certain illnesses in the
baby. The amount, timing and length of exposure can influence the impact these materials have. However, they should
be avoided at all times to ensure the minimum amount of risk.
Common Substances to Avoid Include
Paints
Most paints made in Canada do NOT have high levels of lead. However, small amounts are still present in exterior paints.
Make sure you are painting in a well-ventilated room and wearing a mask for protection. Have someone paint for you
and plan renovations for when you are away. Oil based paints may give off dangerous organic compounds that reduce
indoor air quality.
Organic Solvents
May be present in cleaning products, cosmetics, aerosol sprays, disinfectants, paint strippers and thinners, varnish
and other household products. There are many types, some examples are; acetic acid, methanol, petroleum, pentane,
hexane, glycerin, ethyl acetate, ethanol, chloroform, chlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, acetone. Use non-toxic
cleaners, like baking soda and vinegar for general cleaning and open windows for ventilation when using cleaning products.
Pesticides
They contain ingredients that kill insects, fungi, plants and rodents. There are over 3000 products available in Canada.
Avoid using them around your home and in your garden. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating to remove
residual pesticides.
Mercury
Mercury is a toxic material that does not break down in the environment. In water, bacteria transforms it into
methylmercury, which is more toxic and found in certain fish. Health Canada recommends that people eat at least 5 oz
cooked fish each week during pregnancy.
Types of fish that generally have low levels of contaminants include: salmon, trout, herring, haddock, canned light
tuna, pollock (Boston bluefish), sole, flounder, anchovy, char, hake, mullet, smelt, Atlantic mackerel and lake white fish.
Limit some types of fish to no more than 5 oz per month, such as fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, escolar, marlin,
and orange roughy.
People who eat canned 'albacore' or 'white' tuna should limit the amount they eat to 10 oz per week, which is equivalent
to two 170 g cans per week. Health Canada has not established a maximum limit on eating light tuna such as 'skipjack',
'yellowfin' and 'tongol'; these types of tuna are low in mercury. The type of tuna found in canned varieties is indicated
on the front of the label.
For levels of mercury in local fish, please contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources.
https://www.ontario.ca/search/search-results?query=mercury%20in%20fish
Asbestos
This can be found in the home in old vinyl floors, ceiling tiles, old shingles, and insulation, siding, stoves furnaces
and pipe insulations. Avoid doing renovations during pregnancy and plan them for times you are not at home.
Insect Repellent
This may contain DEET. Apply sparingly and avoid DEET levels greater than 50%.
Exposure to hazardous materials in pregnancy may lead to negative health effects for pregnant people and their baby.
These include; miscarriage, stillbirth, delayed fetal growth, birth defects, and increased risk for certain illnesses in the
baby. The amount, timing and length of exposure can influence the impact these materials have. However, they should
be avoided at all times to ensure the minimum amount of risk.
Common Substances to Avoid Include
Paints
Most paints made in Canada do NOT have high levels of lead. However, small amounts are still present in exterior paints.
Make sure you are painting in a well-ventilated room and wearing a mask for protection. Have someone paint for you
and plan renovations for when you are away. Oil based paints may give off dangerous organic compounds that reduce
indoor air quality.
Organic Solvents
May be present in cleaning products, cosmetics, aerosol sprays, disinfectants, paint strippers and thinners, varnish
and other household products. There are many types, some examples are; acetic acid, methanol, petroleum, pentane,
hexane, glycerin, ethyl acetate, ethanol, chloroform, chlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, acetone. Use non-toxic
cleaners, like baking soda and vinegar for general cleaning and open windows for ventilation when using cleaning products.
Pesticides
They contain ingredients that kill insects, fungi, plants and rodents. There are over 3000 products available in Canada.
Avoid using them around your home and in your garden. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating to remove
residual pesticides.
Mercury
Mercury is a toxic material that does not break down in the environment. In water, bacteria transforms it into
methylmercury, which is more toxic and found in certain fish. Health Canada recommends that people eat at least 5 oz
cooked fish each week during pregnancy.
Types of fish that generally have low levels of contaminants include: salmon, trout, herring, haddock, canned light
tuna, pollock (Boston bluefish), sole, flounder, anchovy, char, hake, mullet, smelt, Atlantic mackerel and lake white fish.
Limit some types of fish to no more than 5 oz per month, such as fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, escolar, marlin,
and orange roughy.
People who eat canned 'albacore' or 'white' tuna should limit the amount they eat to 10 oz per week, which is equivalent
to two 170 g cans per week. Health Canada has not established a maximum limit on eating light tuna such as 'skipjack',
'yellowfin' and 'tongol'; these types of tuna are low in mercury. The type of tuna found in canned varieties is indicated
on the front of the label.
For levels of mercury in local fish, please contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources.
https://www.ontario.ca/search/search-results?query=mercury%20in%20fish
Asbestos
This can be found in the home in old vinyl floors, ceiling tiles, old shingles, and insulation, siding, stoves furnaces
and pipe insulations. Avoid doing renovations during pregnancy and plan them for times you are not at home.
Insect Repellent
This may contain DEET. Apply sparingly and avoid DEET levels greater than 50%.
