From:
Wiediger, Susan <swiedig**At_Symbol_Here**SIUE.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] DCHAS: Mothers-to-be in organic chem labs.
Date:
Sep 11, 2025 15:10 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<LV8PR07MB995107F460C3DA5AFE1CFD9AC809A**At_Symbol_Here**LV8PR07MB9951.namprd07.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<CAHk9oERzEXD2SuaZMJMjz6AEM8gE74HwUTcUNso4y6-4+VXh7A**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
Jim,
Is that the case you intended to cite as decisive?
Not having read it fully but figuring you have, that case appears to be more focused on not discriminating against women because they can become pregnant, as distinct
from a responsibiltiy to warn anyone working with a reproductive hazard about the risks of the job.
I’m wondering if you could maybe point me towards the key part of the case that is relevant to your argument, as opposed to some of the other regulations that have
been in some of the other posts (which are currently also in my “need to read more closely” queue).
Thanks,
Sue
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
On Behalf Of James Kaufman
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 4:56 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] DCHAS: Mothers-to-be in organic chem labs.
This unfortunately is contrary to the US Supreme Court decision in the United Autoworkers vs Johnson Controls 1991.
The employer must protect both the mother and unborn child.
The employer must understand the reproductive hazards of their chemicals. They must train, inform and not hand it off to an employee's PCP (who may be totally clueless).
I had one related case that settled at 10 million. ... Jim
James A. Kaufman, Ph.D.
Founder, LSI
Serving Industry, Government, & Academia for 50 years
508-574-6264
When I was a member of Farmingdale State's chemistry faculty, the college policy was to make available a list of all chemicals to any student if they requested it. The students were then informed that guidance in this matter should come
from their physician.
Dear DCHAS Colleagues,
I'm a part time adjunct lab instructor at a community college. I would appreciate your advice on a situation in my organic chemistry teaching lab today.
One of my students confided last semester (in general chemistry II) that she has experienced multiple early pregnancy losses over the years and how heartbreaking that was for her. Now today, a brand new semester, in organic chemistry, she shared the joyful
news that she is expecting and asked if there are concerns with her working with or handling today's lab materials.
I reached out to a nearby more experienced colleague just down the hall but received little direction beyond the idea that she should avoid handling chemicals directly and instead contribute through documentation and observations while her partner does the
manipulations.
Today’s experiment was a simple extraction using naphthalene and benzoic acid, but the naphthalene odor became more noticeable as the first hour progressed even with good ventilation and
fume hood use. Out of caution, I excused her from the lab after reviewing information that indicates naphthalene fumes can be problematic during pregnancy.
I would like to know from this group:
- Do your institutions have written policies or guidelines for
mothers-to-be in teaching labs?
- Are there specific substances (like naphthalene or common solvents) you flag as higher-risk during pregnancy?
- How do you balance protecting health while still supporting a student’s educational progress?
Given her personal history, I want to be proactive in safeguarding her well-being while keeping her on track academically. Any perspectives, examples, or resources would be very helpful.
435.767.7714 Google Voice & Text
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