Canada Study Details Pregnancy Chemical Hazard
 

http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.p...st_item&id=301

"Canada Study Details Pregnancy Chemical Hazard", Reuters, October 4,
2004,
Link: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=6408993

Children whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy to common
workplace chemicals scored lower on tests measuring language skills,
attention and memory, researchers said on Monday.

Organic solvents such as ethanol, mineral spirits and acrylic resin
are found in facilities ranging from medical laboratories and dry
cleaning shops to nail salons. They are easily inhaled and can
penetrate the skin.

The report from Canada's Hospital for Sick Children and the University
of Toronto compared 32 children aged 3 to 9 whose mothers were exposed
to the substances during pregnancy to 32 children whose mothers were
not.

The women who worked in places with organic solvents used protective
equipment such as masks and gloves, the study said.

"We found that the children of the exposed women had significantly
lower verbal cognitive functioning than the non-exposed children,"
said Maru Barrera, a co-author of the study. "We also saw a greater
inattention and hyperactivity in the exposed children."

The exposed mothers reported contact with one or more of 78 organic
solvents between one and 40 hours per week and between eight and 40
weeks of their pregnancies, the study said. They had 17 occupations
including lab technician, painter, photo lab worker, science teacher,
embalmer and hair stylist.

"Exposed children performed at a lower level than control children in
subtests that measure short-term auditory memory, general verbal
information, and attention. Furthermore, children who were exposed to
organic solvents in utero showed reduced ability in recalling
sentences, even when their (overall) scores were within the normal
range," the study concluded.

"Reducing exposure in pregnancy is merited until more refined risk
assessment is possible," said the report published in the current
issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.