Certain toxins can adversely affect reproductive health in both males and females or could harm a developing fetus. These include chemicals classified as mutagens, teratogens, embryotoxins, or those with known developmental and reproductive toxicity. Some biologic and radiologic materials can harm reproductive health or an unborn fetus.

Lab workers who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to conceive should review the hazardous materials their work involves.

Thoroughly review safety data sheets and other product literature before using potentially hazardous materials.

Contact radiation_protection@harvard.edu about embryo/fetus radiation protection measures, radiation safety, or pregnancy declaration.

The Committee on Microbiological Safety stipulates procedures for working with organisms that pose a risk to reproductive health or harm to a developing fetus. Contact biosafety@harvard.edu to review micro-organism work.

If you're listed on an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol, contact Occupational and Environmental Health Network, Inc. (OEHN) for a medical consultation about protocol-associated concerns. If you aren't listed on an IACUC protocol, EH&S can help you with OEHN clinician confidential medical consultations.

EH&S can conduct hazard assessments and provide guidance on proper administrative and engineering controls, personal protective equipment selection, and other prudent work practices. OEHN clinicians may ask EH&S to perform additional evaluations.

Contact mary_corrigan@harvard.edu with questions or occupational medical consultation requests.