What Are the Effects of Ethyl and Petroleum Ether on a Developing Fetus?
Question by ruredy2go: What are the effects of ethyl and petroleum ether on a developing fetus?
I work with ethyl ether and pet.ether regularly doing testing required at work (under a fume hood). Do either ethers have negative effects (or any effects) on a developing fetus? I am 28 weeks pregnant and was just curious….I don’t think there is any danger because the fume hood is operating, but just thought I would find out the effects of ethyl and pet.ether on an unborn child. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Best answer:
Answer by Rex
I have not done a literature search on this, but I am guessing that at the exposure you receive, observing good laboratory technique (probably low parts per million in air you breathe, for a few minutes max, per day), the risk to your fetus is too low to measure.
The risk was perhaps greatest between 0 and 12 weeks, and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) was possibly, a greater risk than specific harmful effects to your baby at this time (or later in life). These risks are still probably extremely low – – for example – – equal to the risk from increased extraterrestrial radiation from taking one cross-country airplane flight at 35,000 feet.
One comment about these two types of compounds: ethyl ether is very different from “pet” (petroleum) ether, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons (similar to gasoline, for example). One thing they have in common is that both are absorbed very readily by the skin. Getting a drop on your skin might result in a much higher blood level than taking a direct deep breath of their “fumes”. So, especially now while you are pregnant, it might be appropriate to wear gloves (if you are not already) during procedures that put you at risk for direct contact or a spill.
A century ago, ethyl ether was used for anesthesia, even during cesarean section and other childbirth. It was not generally associated with risks to the baby, in that setting.
Hope this helps.
Rex, an M.D. with a Master’s degree in pharmacology and an undergraduate degree in chemistry. My specialty is newborn intensive care.
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