Cleaning in a laboratory first trimester

[Jalei84]

posted in general health section too as I’m out of my mind with worry

Hello,

I have been cleaning in a building with around 6 laboratory’s for the past 2 months. I found out I’m pregnant 2 weeks ago. I do mainly the outside areas but have to enter them to change the bins (about 8 in total) I am now really worried this could have caused harm to my baby.

One of the rooms contain radiation which I don’t enter but have to walk past each day. The workers have lab coats and glasses on when entering the labs.

I am so worried when changing the bins I could have potentially breathed in harmful chemicals. I know I need to tell my employer but I’m worried about harm that could have been caused already. Does anyone know anything about this ? Could changing bins with chemicals/powders be dangerous? They often seem covered in powdery substances.

The only advice I was told when I started was to wear a coat going in and out.

thanks

I would tell your supervisor.
Try and not worry too much. Change your clothes after work and wash your hair. Til you get moved to a different part of your building.

Ask what the labs are for. What they do in them. Is it microbiology?

Radiation is really strictly controlled and people are always protected from it in labs. I do not think you have to worry about it.

What kind of lab is it? Can you ask one of the lab analysts what the powder is as it shouldn't be hazardous if it's in a regular waste bin (or they can incur huge fines...)

Radiation won't be a problem, they will have to meet extremely strict regulations to be able to test radioactive materials so as long as you don't go in you'll be fine.

Tell your supervisor asap as he might pull you from the labs altogether. At the very least he should provide (or arrange with the lab to provide) PPE for you to wear i.e. disposable gloves, guest lab coat, safety specs etc.

At the very least your exposure would be minimal over a couple of months if you're only really going in to change the bins. If this company has six labs then presumably they're well established and therefore have to meet a lot of strict safety regulations or risk fines or losing accreditations.

Try not to worry, you and your baby will be completely fine. Just try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy 😊

Are they general bins? There would not be any radioactive, biological or hazardous substances disposed in general bins. People are wearing lab coats and safety glasses to avoid substances they are physically working with getting on them. Anything that ‘travels’ would be dealt with in a bio containment area or laminar flow cupboard within the room, it wouldn’t be an issue for generally walking about within the room or whatnot.

So I have worked in many a lab and radiopharmacy departments so may be able to help. All general waste have to be completely clear of any possible contamination. Anything that might be should be through the hazardous waste stream. Any room dealing with radiation are usually lead lines and most places have to keep any potential radioactive waste until it isn’t radioactive anymore. It is massively controlled so you should be fine. Declaring your pregnancy is a must though as then they can follow there procedures - that’s both for the lab and radiation

I would tell your supervisor and ask for a risk assessment as soon as possible and use PPE anytime you are in the lab. In theory labs should be safe for non-pregnant workers and pregnant workers alike (since many people working in them may be of reproductive age even if not actively trying to concieve) but in reality that's not always the case. I wouldn't be worried about the radiation at all as control measures are very good. As for the bins it may depend what type of lab it is - I'd be most worried if it is a chemical lab rather than biochemistry/microbiology etc. In all cases general waste should only contain non-hazardous material of course. However I work in a university based research lab (chemistry) and compliance with waste disposal procedures can be very poor with little accountability. I have opted not to work in the lab during pregnancy and not to touch any surface in the lab without PPE. It's probably much better in a commerical/industrial/medical lab etc.

Thanks everyone I will mention it today.

These comments have made me feel slightly better but I’m just so worried about previous exposure.

I’m not sure what they do but on there website and Google it says ‘Oil & Petrochemicals, Oil Condition Monitoring, Metals & Minerals, Exploration & Mining, Coal and Agri-Commodities & Fertilizers’ so is this something I should be worried about does this sound like a chemical lab? @trrk

The smells coming out of some of the rooms are very strong and they also have big kind of air conditioning type units above the testing stations and the air blows out right next to where I take the bins. Every little thing that didn’t phase me before is worrying me now

@Jalei84 gently, all you can do for now is discuss this with your employer, gather information from them as to which chemicals/substances (if any) you come into contact with, and then ask your doctor for more advice regarding the pregnancy.

Hopefully your employer has protocols in place for this situation.

You are definately best to discuss with your employer so a specific risk assessment can be carried out, they'll be best able to advise if there any specific hazards in the lab and whether its safe to continue working there while pregnant. It's unlikely that you have anything to worry about but always best to check.

The fume cupboards all have scrubbers etc in the system so that anything harmful will be filtered, they’re not allowed to send chemicals willy-nilly into the air. General waste bins will also not contain anything harmful, those bins are collected separately by harzardous waste disposal companies.