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Isn't the issue with taking aspirin during the third trimest er of pregnancy involve the risk of the mother experiencing excessive bleeding du ring and after childbirth?
- Diane Amell, MNOSHA
From: DCHAS-L Discu
ssion
List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Ben Ruekberg
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:11 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 2 Re: [DCHAS-L] pregnant student in chemistry
lab
With respect, your question is not entirely relevant. I merely pointed out an example of a substance which may safely be ingested b y most people except pregnant women: unsafe for pregnant women but not unsafe for everyone. The fact that it is the product of an experiment was includ ed merely to put the fact in a laboratory context.
It is unsafe for women in the third trimester of pregnancy to ingest aspirin. I doubt any of the women whose children’s birth defects led to this discovery were exposed to aspirin by any route other th an oral. Thus, I cannot speak to other routes, but again this is of limi ted relevance. Aspirin, which could be present as a powder for authentic sample or mixed melting point purposes, could become airborne during operat ions.
While the experiments in question would intend to preclude exposure, students often behave in such a way as to circumvent normal precautions. For instance, one person spills a solution of aspirin on a bench top. Another student puts a writing implement on this bench top and, later, into their mouth. Many students find the habit of putting writing implements in their mouths very difficult to break during lab, even after repeated warnings. If you feel that such an occurrence is unlik ely, consider how the sweetness of most artificial sweeteners was discovered. (Admittedly, that was cigarettes, but the principle applies, particularly considering that these discoverers were professional chemists who should ha ve known better.) Also admittedly, this would never be a safe practice, but unsafe practices are what lead to accidents and, like it or not, humans wil l have accidents. The difference is the degree of severity of the accid ent, which for the fetus can be catastrophic.
BR
From: DCHAS-L Discu
ssion
List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Harrington, Rachel
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:58 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 2 Re: [DCHAS-L] pregnant student in chemistry
lab
Do
you mean that it is not safe for a pregnant woman to ingest aspirin or,
that it is unsafe for the pw to be in the presence of aspirin or
chemicals reacted to make aspirin? I would expect that any procedures
designed for the aspirin-making experiment would eliminate ingestion,  
;as
well as skin absorption and inhalation, as routes of exposure.
RH
From: DCHAS-L Discu
ssion
List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of List Moderator
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:08 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] 2 Re: [DCHAS-L] pregnant student in chemistry lab
From: "Ben Ruekberg" <bruekberg**At_Symbol_Here**chm.uri.edu>
Date: August 10, 2010 8:02:39 AM EDT p>
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] pregnant student in chemistry lab
I must take exception to the generalization that it a lab is not safe for a
pregnant person, it is not safe for anyone. Consider t he relatively common
lab experiment of making aspirin. Aspirin is safe for most people, but not
pregnant women.
Ben Ruekberg
===
Date: August 10, 2010 11:00:18 AM EDT< /p>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] pregnant student in chemistry lab
I work as an Industrial Hygiene Chemist so protecting employ ees from exposure & over exposure is my main purpose. I had a baby last yea r and continued to work in the lab while pregnant & while breast-feeding. I avoided the use of certain known teratogens (specifically CS2) and double-gloved when I used anything else. All of my work was performed in a fume hood. I too took MSDSs to my OB and talked to him & my manager candidly about the risk of exposing the fetus to anything that could cause damage.
I used common sense & did what I felt comfortable with. I think offering the student choices would be the best route. I'm sure the student can meet the learning objectives of the labs through other means.
Good luck! Glad to see that you are being proactive & ta king the concern seriously.
Melissa Ballard
Industrial Hygiene & Environmental Chemist
Michelin North America
1401 Antioch Church Road
Greenville, SC 29605
864.458.1843
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