[Histonet] Histotech to be pregnant with questions

[Julie Trejo]

Thank you for your response and as I thank everyone's
wonderfully,overwhelming response.  Yes, I have been searching for a long
time for the hard data that just couldn't be found by me.  I'm not the best
at computer searches. I finally had to ask my collegues for their input and
I appreciate it greatly.  Yes, we are going to check our exposure for
formalin and xylene in two ways, badges and the university (enviromental
safety).  We just started this lab May 5,2008 in sections; H&E routine
first, specials second and  IHC last until in full swing in August so now
would be the best time to test.
I have great co-workers who will deal with all the chemicals, so I will just
embed and cut and non-chemical things.  I may be a over-thinker and
 worry-wart, but just don't want to risk it for the baby, so "over-kill"
will be my nickname for sure.  Genetics are something I can't control other
than with alot of Folic acid and a healthy diet.  Cancergenetic and toxic
reagents that I work with, well, that I would like to control the exposure
of that.
   Thank you everyone!!! It calmed me down and gave me food for thought and
things to do.  I appreciate it.

I'll be at NSH 2008 in Pittsburgh.  See you there :)

Julie



 9/4/08, Della Speranza, Vinnie <dellav <@t> musc.edu> wrote:

> I didn't see any responses to Julie's question on the list but she may have
> been contacted back channel. The problem is that anecdotal information is
> just that, and I would suspect that in the absence of formal scientific
> study, individuals reporting birth effects resulting from lab exposures
> would fall more into the realm of supposition rather than hard data.
>
> To some degree the answer to your question lies in the exposure monitoring
> levels in your lab. If they have not been tested recently, request that
> testing be conducted.
>
> I'm not certain anyone can comment with certainty regarding risk
> probabilities.
>
> The link below will lead you to an interesting scientific study regarding
> xylene toxicity that appears comprehensive and specifically mentions
> histology labs. It may be of interest to others on the list.
>
> http://oehha.ca.gov/water/phg/pdf/xylen_c.pdf
>
> the following quote comes from this document.
> "The possibility of fetotoxic effects from concentrations to which humans
> would be exposed in the workplace seems slight (Brown-Woodman et al., 1991;
> 1994)."
> They further state that xylene is not mutagenic or teratogenic.
> I recommend that you read the entire document however.
>
>
>
> Vinnie Della Speranza
> Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
> 165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
> Charleston, South Carolina 29425
> Tel: (843) 792-6353
> Fax: (843) 792-8974
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
> histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Julie Trejo
> Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:41 PM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Histotech to be pregnant with questions
>
> Hi.  I'm a histotech about to start on getting pregnant to start our
> family,
> yet concerned on the birth defects that come from the xylene fumes.  My
> great co-workers have decided to change processors etc to keep me away from
> chemicals, which is great for me, just still concerned about the fumes.  I
> would only be embedding and cutting for the most part and we do have alot
> of
> automation ie: H&E stainer, Artisian (special stains), and immuno's
> (BondMax).  Automation will keep my hands out of xylene which is wonderful,
> just worried.  I've read some things about histotechs that were pregnant,
> some ok and some bad (over 20 years ago).  Just haven't found out about the
> recent ones and how their child was.  I asked one of our pathologists if it
> was okay to work in this enviorment but she thinks its okay.  I've worked
> with alot of women whom had children but they never were working in
> histology when they were pregnant.
> Basically, I do enjoy my job and don't want to leave where I am, but worry
> about being pregnant in the histo lab.  Is it okay to stay or should I get
> out or what can I do to stay without harming/risking my baby?
> I would love to hear from past pregnant mom's in histo lab and let me know
> if it worked etc.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> --
> Julie Trejo, HT(ASCP)cm
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>



-- 
Julie Trejo, HT(ASCP)cm Saint Louis University Dermatology 314-256-3413