Can Mild Exposure To Household Paint Cause Harm To Unborn Baby?

Posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 Answered on

Wed, 2 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I am worried right now. I applied moisture barrier protector to our floors when I was 15 weeks pregnant. It has polyutherane in it which I have read is toxic (I didn't realise it at the time as it didn't smell at all). I painted for about 2 hours. I got some on my hands and legs but managed to wash most of it off. I am now 22 weeks and my 20 week scan was all fine. Should I be worried? how much exposure is required for problems to occur with the baby? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer: NO HARMFUL EFFECT AT THIS STAGE OF PREGNANCY. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Mild exposure from smell of modern household paint (containing Polyurethane) RARELY causes harm to your unborn baby at 15 weeks of pregnancy as Fetal Organogenesis was already completed in the first trimester (most vulnerable stage). Also, your recent anomaly scan at 20 weeks was fine or normal. Therefore, risk of birth defect, miscarriage and learning problems will be quite LOW or RARE as absorption of paint through smell is quite NEGLIGIBLE due to no continuous paint works at present. So, you wouldn't be worried much. Hope, I have answered your query. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query. Wish your good health and successful motherhood. Regards, Dr Soumen For future query, you can directly approach me through http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (2 hours later)

Thank you. Even though there was contact with my skin? I just found out it was solvent free and VCO free which I think makes it safer. This is reassuring.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: DON'T BE WORRIED MUCH. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. Mild exposure (either from breathing or direct contact with skin) doesn't harmful to your baby. Therefore, you shouldn't be worried about that. Do periodic check up to your doctor for proper assessment of fetal well being. Hope, it helps for you. Kindly, close the discussion. All the best and good luck. Regards, Dr Soumen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar