Why do pregnant workers need special protection from some workplace toxic agents?

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Asbestosis — occupational disease The lung disease asbestosis is caused primarily by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. It occurs mainly among workers whose occupations involve exposure to asbestos and people who live near mines, factories, and construction sites.

Pregnant workers require special protection from workplace toxic agents because exposure levels that are considered safe for other workers, such as young males, may be hazardous to a pregnant woman and her fetus.1

The fetus is particularly sensitive to environmental toxic agents, especially during the first three months of development. Because of this heightened vulnerability, pregnant women require appropriate medical surveillance and specific precautionary measures to ensure their health and the safety of the developing fetus. Protecting pregnant workers is an essential ethical responsibility, as it acknowledges the unique physiological needs of both the mother and the unborn child in the workplace environment.1