title: [Chemical toxicants and preconception health: the role of nurses].
abstract: The influence of chemical toxicants on human reproduction is often overlooked. However, couples previously exposed to toxicants face a higher risk of birth defects in their children. Through preconception care, nurses can provide prevention education to men and women of childbearing age and play a positive role in reducing rates of infertility and fetal harm due to chemical toxicity. This paper introduces chemical toxicants prevalent in the community, workplace, and home and also the impact of exposure to such on conception and fetal development. Working on primary prevention, secondary prevention, and sexual history collection, professional nurses can assess, counsel, educate, and provide relevant services to help prevent environmental exposure damage to reproductive functions and promote reproductive health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tzu-Chi College of Technology, ROC. jen@tccn.edu.tw
authors.forename: Shoa-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Perng
authors.forename: Ling-Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hui-Chueing
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy