Reproductive Hazards and Health in the Lab

• Defined by OSHA as substances that cause chromosomal damage (mutagen) or cause fatal or teratogenic (malformation) effects on fetuses
• Biological materials, chemicals, and radioactive substances

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• Category 1 (A and B) are known and Category 2 are suspected; impacts via lactation are also considered

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• Impacts on female reproductive system are usually discussed the most, but substances that are hazards for male reproduction are also included

UNC Chapel Hill Laboratory Safety Manual - Chapter 08: Reproductive Hazards

https://www.schc.org/assets/docs/ghs_info_sheets/schc_osha_reproductive_toxicity_4-4-16.pdf

Reproductive Hazards in our Labs

• 1,3-Butadiene
• Ethylene thiourea
• Arsenic
• Benzene
• Cadmium
• Ionizing radiation
• Carbon disulfide
• Lead
• Mercury compounds
• Polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs)
• Naphthalene

Methods for exposure to reproductive hazards

UNC Chapel Hill Laboratory Safety Manual - Chapter 08: Reproductive Hazards

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• Ethylene glycol monomethyl (and ethyl) ethers
• Toluene
• Ethylene oxide
• Urethane
• Chloroform
• Dichloromethane
• NItrobenzene
• 1,4 Dioxane
• Nickel compounds

Some common chemical hazards

General Operating Procedures

• Transport in unbreakable outer container

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• Place contaminated materials for disposal in a closed plastic bag or other sealed container, and place this container in a durable outer container
• Label the substance name and hazard info

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• Schlenk lines being used with reproductive hazards with a trap or HEPA filter
• When using a volatile reproductive hazard, consider using a separate vacuum pump placed in a hood

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• If spilled, inactivate using a procedure that decomposes or absorbs the material and dispose via ORS

UNC Chapel Hill Laboratory Safety Manual - Chapter 08: Reproductive Hazards

https://www.schc.org/assets/docs/ghs_info_sheets/schc_osha_reproductive_toxicity_4-4-16.pdf