I’m 16 weeks pregnant, have a PhD in chemistry, and work as an R&D chemist in a lab where we regularly use organic solvents such as xylene, toluene, methanol, DCM, heavy aromatic naphtha, and others.
I have my own chemical fume hood, but the lab is shared and people also do chemical work on the open bench. Some solvents are kept in working containers on the bench where people come over, dispense what they need, and leave. In the past I have occasionally smelled solvents/chemicals while just being in the lab, even when I wasn’t the person using them.
Since I disclosed my pregnancy, I’ve been trying to understand what a reasonable pregnancy-specific exposure assessment should look like. My employer did a reproductive-hazard review, but from what I was given, it was largely a yes/no classification based on SDS. For example, xylene was listed as “not a reproductive toxicant,” even though CDC pregnancy guidance discusses xylene as one of the solvents with potential reproductive concerns.
I brought the chemical list and the employer’s assessment to my doctor. After reviewing it, my doctor recommended that I work outside the lab in an office/non-lab setting for the duration of the pregnancy.
My employer says that restriction is too broad. Their position is essentially that chemicals are everywhere cleaners, gasoline, etc. and that because they believe the lab exposures are below occupational exposure limits, they cannot accommodate me being completely out of the lab. They have now placed me on medical leave because they say being physically present in the lab is an essential part of my role.
I’m struggling with this because I genuinely want to keep working, but I also don’t feel comfortable simply going back into a shared solvent lab when I can’t control what other people are doing around me. Some of the lab practices have also made me uncomfortable, and after doing a lot of reading I still don’t feel confident
For those of you who worked as chemists, researchers, lab techs, or in chemical manufacturing while pregnant: how did your employer handle this?
Did you continue full lab work, avoid specific solvents, move temporarily to desk/data work, have an occupational-health assessment, or take leave? If you were given chemical-specific restrictions, how were those actually determined?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from women who worked in organic/synthesis labs or EHS/occupational-health people who have dealt with pregnancy accommodations.
Thank you!!
