Wood Stain & Varnish Safety During Pregnancy: Risks & Precautions

Question
Thanks for your prompt reply.  The stains and varnishes we are using do prohibit use by pregnant women. In fact, to read the label, you would think anyone would be afraid to use them, as they warn of brain and nervous system damage due to prolonged overexposure. While I'm not the one actually applying them, I am still in the environment as they dry. I don't have much of a choice.

I try to ventilate and avoid the area as much as possible. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm not causing damage to the brain and nervous system of my baby.

Thanks again,
Jenny
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Dr. Rappaport,

I am 28 weeks pregnant with my second child. We are in the midst of a small construction project in the basement of our home. It has required my husband to apply wood stains and varnishes. I do my absolute best to stay away while he's doing this work, but the smell remains throughout the house for a time. What's more, sometimes it's necessary for me to be home while he's working and the fumes can get pretty strong. I try to keep everything well ventilated, but it's November in Wisconsin, so keeping doors and windows open for extended periods is challenging. How dangerous is this to the baby? Is there anything else I can do to protect the baby from exposure short of moving out of my house? I've worked myself up into a bit of hysteria over this and am wondering if I'm overreacting, as my husband claims.

Thanks for your help,
Jenny
Answer -
Usually, fumes from varnish and stains will not cause any harm to the fetus or to the mother. They may make you nauseated but will not do anything to harm the baby. Make sure that your home is well ventilated and leave, at least, one window open. Read the label of the stains and varnishes to see if it specifically prohibits use by pregnant women. Otherwise, don't worry.  You, on the other hand, may become sick to your stomach.

Answer
Do they actually say that you can cause nervous system and brain damage TO THE BABY, or TO YOU? Usually they could not cause any damage to you unless you ingested them. Merely exposure to the substances will not cause any problems and I still doubt that they could cause any problems for the baby.