Answer to Question #1687 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I work in a research lab. In the very beginning of my pregnancy, two-three weeks, I was working at about 1 m distance from a colleague who works with ³²P loaded samples. Is there any danger for my baby?

A

If you wear an appropriate film badge in your work and ³²P is the only isotope used by your colleagues, your film badge should show that you are not exposed and, of course, neither will your baby be exposed. I assume that the ³²P is for tracer studies and not for preparing any kind of therapeutic intervention.

If the laboratory is run well and there are no spills, and you do not eat in the same place where you work, then your embryo should not be exposed to radiation that would be harmful. You may not know that we ourselves are radioactive and we are exposed to many sources of natural radiation that we cannot avoid.

Your developing embryo did not receive any measurable exposure from the ³²P. If you are healthy, young, and have no reproductive problems or family history of reproductive problems your risk for birth defects is 3% and for miscarriage 15%. Neither you nor I can change that risk which all mothers have when they begin a pregnancy. But before I give you a final answer I would like the answer to the questions I have asked you about your film badge reading and the nature of your facility. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD