Exposure of Pregnant Women to Chemicals and Cosmetic Products*

INTRODUCTION: It is known that exposure to chemicals and cosmetic products causes harmful effects on health. Knowing the exposure of pregnant women to chemicals and cosmetic products is important in planning prenatal care. This study is a descriptive study conducted to determine the exposure of pregnant women to chemicals and cosmetic products.
METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 315 pregnant women. The data were collected by the researchers using a data collection form and face-to-face interview method. The study was conducted between September 2016 and November 2016, in Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage, and mean) were used in the analysis of the data.
RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women was 26.10 ± 5.6 years, 73.7% of them lived in the city center, 42.9% of them were middle school graduates, and 88.3% of them did not work. It was determined that 67.6% of pregnant women used deodorant/perfume during pregnancy, 32.1% used lipstick, and 7.9% used hair dye. In addition, it was revealed that 91.7% of the pregnant women were exposed to bleach, 44.1% to surface cleaner, 34.6% to oil and 21.6% to descaler, and 10.5% to spirit of salt.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, exposure rates of pregnant women to chemicals and cosmetic products were high. Women should be educated about the harms of chemicals and cosmetics both in the preconception period and during pregnancy.