Q: I am a 31 years old and 5 months pregnant woman. I worked in a factory for the first 4 months where sanitizers such as proxitane were used on an hourly basis to clean the machinery. During these hours, I experienced burning sensations in my nose and chest. Could this prolonged exposure to sanitizers have harmed me or my baby? Can I continue working for the next 2 months?

A:If the pregnancy is progressing well, it seems the work environment has not affected your baby. However, you can check with your factory managing director whether or not it is safe for you to continue working there. All factories have safety regulations, and I guess you did inform them when you conceived. I have no definite information on the effect of the sanitizer on the developing baby. Also, ensure you get an anomalies scan done now by an experienced ultrasonologist, preferably by 21-24 weeks of pregnancy.