pregnancy and mercaptoethanol - (Aug/22/2007 )
Hello Everybody,
I am 8weeks pregnant. I had a problem today that one of my friends was working with western and she was preparing laemmli buffer contaning mercaptoethanol. I had to inhale for a while(maybe 10-15 minutes). Please if anyone knows is it harmful to inhale, especially to the baby? I feel very bad!!!! I also will do western blots couple of months?What should I do now?I would really appreciate if you enlighten me.Thanks
your exposure was very light. although you want to limit exposure to most chemicals during pregnancy, the exposure you describe should not be a problem. however, try to limit your exposure in the future.
wear a mask
wear a mask
if you use one it needs to be a chemical mask or respirator. a surgical mask will not stop bme or any other fumes.
Thank you guys for the replies. If I need to work I will work by wearing a mask under the hood.
I am 8weeks pregnant. I had a problem today that one of my friends was working with western and she was preparing laemmli buffer contaning mercaptoethanol. I had to inhale for a while(maybe 10-15 minutes). Please if anyone knows is it harmful to inhale, especially to the baby? I feel very bad!!!! I also will do western blots couple of months?What should I do now?I would really appreciate if you enlighten me.Thanks
as you may not work with liters of Laemmli buffer, and there was only a short contact with mercaptoethanol, there is no harm; long-term exposure to concentrations clearly above MAC has similar toxic effects as H2S gas;
Do your labmates know you are pregnant (congratulations, btw)? IF not, you should consider breaking the news, just for safety's sake, so they know to be more careful around you. Certainly, I'd consider telling your PI.