To : Pat
Re : Chemicals for manicurist

I am often asked about chemicals and breastfeeding.  Unfortunately, we have
virtually no data on these substances and their transmission to human milk.
But the OSHA administration in the US provides rather restrictive safety
requirements for workplaces and I have generally found that if the OSHA
requirements are met, the amount of exposure of the mother to chemicals is
so low,  that it would be exceedingly difficult for the infant to derive
enough via milk to be a problem.  This is particularly so of most chemicals,
and heavy metals.

So, to be truthful, we don't really have an answer...all we can say is try
to follow OSHA rules, use volatile chemicals in well ventilated rooms, and
try to limit exposure by any means possible...but I don't think they would
be excessively dangerous to a breastfed infant.

Regards
Tom Hale, Ph.D.

Regards

Tom Hale, R.Ph., Ph.D.

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/