Someone recently asked me if it was safe for a woman three months pregnant to work in a shop. My immediate reaction was that it’s not problem, just avoid finishing fumes, and take normal precautions with dust.
Anything else I should be aware of?
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I'd say noise as a start.
We don't think about the noise but take care because the amniotic fluid will magnifiy sound waves. What does the fetus hear? According to my readings a lot.
Again, according to my readings (Wifes in a motherly way so I've been paying attention to these things lately.) new research suggests that a fetus can "taste" what the mother is eating through her blood. Will the dust affect the fetus I have no idea.
amniotic fluid will magnify sound waves..I never thought about that! Gee.... Sound does carry for miles in water...Learn something new every day...
I would be worried about trips and falls as well as any bumps to the midsection. If you have a clean shop and minimal traffic, I wouldn't be too worried.
Thanks for the input. Some interesting food for thought. Especially about noise, didn't consider that.
I wear hearing protection and I imagine the womb works in the same way, although how much a fetus "hears" and how much "feels," is another interesting question.
Hi Kate,<!----><!----><!---->
I encourage you to keep on reading as the conclusion on foetus vs sounds can vary from research to research.<!----><!---->
As for information on the behaviour of sound inside a liquid I can help you with that... being a scuba diver for over 20 years I’ve had more than my share of under water listenings. Mostly bubbles, boats and even some whales...<!----><!---->
True. Water travels faster and further in water but not necessarily better. A sound originating from underwater will travel differently from a sound originating from outside of a liquid. <!----><!---->
Sound from underwater will travel faster to the point that stereo perception is almost nonexistent. High frequencies are quickly absorbed by the liquid while lower frequencies will travel great distance at great speed.
Sound coming from outside the water (like a siren on a boat, or someone shouting directly at the water) will pretty much bounce off the surface of the liquid with little sound penetration except for very low frequencies.<!----><!---->
Now, if you consider that to the amniotic liquid you add human tissues, the heartbeat of the mother, digestion sounds and the fact that foetus has a mucus membrane within their inner ear which disappears at birth. My guess is that sound is not going to affect the baby that much. But than again it's just a physics point of view...<!----><!---->
Vibrations however are another story...
Have a nice day folks<!----><!---->
ST.
Other than fumes, which everyone agrees about, I'd be most concerned about the noise. Not just that it might do some kind of neve damage, but that it could very well disrupt the natural biorhythm of the fetus. Depending on how constantly the power tools are running, this could be a factor.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
My wife and I have had two sons over the last 2 1/2 years so I have done quite a bit of research related to pregnancy - but I am not a doctor nor a researcher. I doubt that the noise in a small shop would be a problem for the baby. I say this mainly because some articles I read on trying to get babies to sleep (fortunately we rarely needed the advice as both sons are good sleepers) suggested turning on a loud vacuum cleaner as this sound is very similar to what they hear continuously within the womb. Assuming thats the case I dont think most tools in a small shop would be all THAT much louder. But then I am a wannabee woodworker just getting started and maybe other shops are much louder than I imagine.As most others have said its pretty important to get your doctor involved and there are certainly plenty of extra risks in the shop that may want to be avoided just out of caution.
My wife and I have had two sons over the last 2 1/2 years so I have done quite a bit of research related to pregnancy ..Gee Guy she let ya.. May all your children be Always Happy, Healthy' and Wise..EDIT:: any shop dangers for pregnant women?Yep invitin' her in when she had 'that look in her Eye'...
Edited 12/7/2005 6:59 pm by WillGeorge
Hi there Will, I just skimmed your last post and I read that you had produced the two sons in 2 1/2 years .Very impressive !!! INDEED :-)
Edited 12/7/2005 9:00 pm ET by jako17
Yea and we were married for almost 10 years by the time we had our first - all our relatives were convinced we could not have any. We kept telling them we were just practising until we get it right before we even try. Must have worked each time we tried we were successful within the first or second month!Thanks and Happy Holidays to all.
My wife got Pregnant if I looked at her funny..
"...some articles I read on trying to get babies to sleep... ...suggested turning on a loud vacuum cleaner as this sound is very similar to what they hear continuously within the womb."
Wannabee,
My mother subscribed to that practice, and I became like Pavlov's dog: The sound of a vacuum cleaner was so effective at lulling me to sleep that I became drowsy while doing housework well into my twenties!
I hadn't thought about that in years until I read your post,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hmmmm, I may have to use that!
I think most parents quickly learn that newborns have no natural biorhythms, and the parents have the sleep deprivation to show for it. ;)
Liquids don't amplifiy sounds, although attenuation of low frequencies is lower than it is through air. Being in the womb would be better than any earplugs, I would think.
Stay away from the table saw! Kickbacks are tough even for sixpack abs and have been known to kill grown men.
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Kate: Any refinishing that might contain/disturb lead. Any injury that would lead to large blood loss. Electric shock? Vibration from sander or? There are a couple of Knot heads who are Doctors maybe they would know. Duke
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ASK your doctor. Personnally why risk it we read everyday of the dangers in a woodshop from the sawdust to the injury dangers.
I remmember when my wife was pregnant with my oldest daughter (now 18 years old) we went to the memorial day parade and the civil war group touched off a cannon during the parade and my wife said she felt the baby jump with the sound. so in my unscientific opinion the fetus can indeed hear sounds.
Again ask your doctor
Kate T,
I have a lady who rents some shop time from me each week. When she became pregnant a couple of years ago, she asked her doctor about the hazards (including noise) of the shop. The doctor said the woodshop posed no major risk to the unborne child. ( we always kept her away from any chemicals.) It was her choice to continue working during the pregnancy, and all turned out well. I have just been informed that she is pregnant again, and plans to continue working for now.
I can't tell you that the woodshop is safe for pregnant women. I just wanted to pass on the conversation (as I underand it) my renter had with her doctor about 2 years ago.
Yeah, don't stand behind the rip fence when using a TS to rip small strips! I got a hole in my garage wall to testify to that.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Yah, in addition to that, standing in line with the rip fence gives rise to the practice of SALUTING THE SAW, which is common amongst the incognoscenti, and should be confined to serving members of the military-who if I recall correctly, are demonstrating respect for the uniform, not the turkey in it.Also it is less painful to do it in the latter context.
Another digression.Philip Marcou
Kate, from my view as a retired physician, the responses to your question have been good and thoughtful. I think that not enough is said about toxic exposures to the male who is contemplating fatherhood. There is little if any research done on this subject, so I have nothing to stand on but logic. We know that toxic exposures can cause a pregnancy to abort, so why might not such also damage the sperm? No-one knows, but caution seems wise. Men, clean up your act before attempting to impregnate! ( that applies to smoking, drinking, drugs, industrial fumes, etc.)
Tom
Great point, Tom, and I'm so glad you made it. I cringe when I hear (or rather, read) recommendations that someone use Naptha or acetone or whatever, to clean their skin. Yes, I do it occasionally, but every time I think "bad, bad, bad." If I were of child-bear age and inclination, I'd certainly change that to "no exceptions."forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I'm 100% on wearing examination gloves when I'm working with any of that stuff. I'm likely as not to go up and hold my 16-month-old girls when I'm done, so I don't want that stuff where they'll be ingesting it.
<Yes, I do it occasionally, but every time I think "bad, bad, bad." >Jamie, dont do it, just say no to solvents on your skin. You skin is your largest organ and you wouldnt put acetone on your kidneys would you. There are numerous cleaners that will remove anything safely-orange/citrus based cleaners, vinegar works on epoxy really well, oil or butter takes off alkyd oil based paints. The real issue is the solvents carry the toxics into not off your skin and can penetrate deeply. Use the safe methods and think "good good good". You are benefitting more than just yourself. aloha, mike
Since I found those Painter's Wipes" thing I posted about awhile back, it's much easier to avoid the solvents and still be lazy. ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
"I cringe when I hear... ...recommendations that someone use Naptha or acetone or whatever, to clean their skin."
Hi FG,
This is a subject worthy of consideration even for someone, like me, who has no reason whatsoever to be thinking about pregnancy.
I don't use Briwax because of the toluene; just ain't worth the risk. Same goes for many other chemicals related to finishing (Potassium Dichromate springs to mind).
I know most individuals don't bother, but I find that it's worth the time and effort to obtain and read Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS); they're stored in a 3-ring binder (right next to the first aid kit and eye wash) where I can grab them (God forbid) as I head out the door on the way to the emergency room.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I would think that you would face the same hazards as everyone else,,,,, except that you can't get pregnant
that said,,,,, wood in general is pretty OK,,,,, everything else is bad to some degree. Glues, epoxy, finishes, solvents, fillers etc. ...... consider the environment that we evolved in for the last several million years,,,, and the things that we take for granted now,,,,, Hell ,, even " new car smell " is really bad for you.
There's plenty you can still do in a good shop that keeps you away from exposure, but the better you can take care of yourself now, the better it is for your baby. Meanwhile,,, don't clean up with solvents,, No refinishing, wear rubber gloves and your mask when needed. Watch your diet, don't smoke, drink,,, take your vitamins. Get your check-ups don't worry.... be happy
Good luck!
I would suggest to her learning to do more with hand tools. Less noise, less dust, no kickbacks... more zen.
Sounds like a good solution for us all.
And then there are different methods or skills she could learn. Sawing, grooving, glueing, and finishing is only one way to work the medium of wood. Try carving for example, lots to learn here as well.
Hello Kate:
I only have a thhird copy of a third copy of a magizine artical at least ten years old, but it lists the "Toxicity" of different typeds of wood. some wood oils are contact poisens absorbed through the skin. Some wood dust is toxic. I would avoid exotic woods, but some common woods have the same problems.
If I find the listing I will post it.
Dan5
Hello Kate T
I found that list of problem woods. See attached.
Hope you find it informative. I am sorry I do not have any information on its source, but I at one time suscribed to most of the wood working mags. However all my woodworker buddies have used it and swear by it.
Dan5
Useful info Dan, thanks.
On a similar note, dows anyone know whether burning off-cuts of birch ply in a open fire at home could give off toxic fumes as I've just completed a project in it and would love to use it on the fire but my wife is 8 months pregnant.
Thanks
I don't see a problem if your fireplace/wood burner is properly vented. The problems as I see it are the resens in the wood and birch is pritty low on those?
Best to you and you wife on your bundle of joy.
Dan5
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