[Occupational toxic exposure in the pregnant woman. 1: principles fo individual risk assessment ].
BACKGROUND
Many women of childbearing age are occupationally exposed to chemicals and concerned with the ensuing risk when pregnant.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the principles of individual risk assessment to be applied in pregnant women or women wishing to become pregnant that are exposed to chemicals at the workplace.


METHODS
Each request for risk assessment is based on a comprehensive review of the hazards of the handled products together with a thorough evaluation of the actual exposure at the workplace. A toxicological advice is then written to the gynecologist or the general practitioner in charge of the patient. When the exposure is estimated to be hazardous for the pregnancy, either total withdrawal, avoidance of certain activities or improvements of individual protective devices are recommended. The outcome of the pregnancy is systematically followed-up.


CONCLUSIONS
An objective assessment of toxic risks in pregnant women exposed to chemicals at the workplace can be done. Thus, patients who must be withdrawn or benefit from improvements of their workstation can be selected.
Testud
F
F
Unité de Toxicovigilance, Centre Antipoison, Hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 69437 Lyon.
Lambert-Chhum
R
R
Bellemin
B
B
Descotes
J
J
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018570:Risk Assessment
Exposition toxique professionnelle chez la femme enceinte. 1re Partie: Principes de l'évaluation du risque individuel.