Most women have contact with at least 43 different — and possibly harmful — chemicals when they’re pregnant. They might be in their food, in their homes and at work, and in products that they use every day. Some can cause serious problems, like early birth and birth defects.
But many women don’t know what they can do to protect themselves — and many providers don’t have the tools to give them clear guidance.
That’s why a team of experts in pregnancy and environmental health came together to create the Prenatal Assessment of Environmental Health (PAER). Up until now, there’s been no standard way of checking whether a pregnant woman might have had contact with harmful chemicals like BPA, lead, and mercury. Once women and their providers understand the possible risks, they can talk about taking steps to stay safe.
Pregnant women and doctors can trust PAER. It’s the product of a partnership between:
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU)
Our goal is to make environmental assessments a routine part of prenatal care during the first trimester. We want women to have healthier pregnancies, and for providers to feel confident in guiding their patients on how to protect themselves.