Environmental exposure to compounds used in plastic may interfere with human fertility. Two studies were presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine recently. In one, pregnant women provided blood samples early in the first trimester. The scientists then collected data on miscarriages and live births. After the infants were born, blood was analyzed for BPA or bisphenol A. Women with high levels of this hormone disruptor were more likely to have experienced a miscarriage. BPA is found in cash register receipts, canned foods, and many plastic containers.
In another study, 500 couples trying to conceive provided urine samples and data on pregnancy test results. When men had high levels of phthalates in their urine, it took couples longer to get pregnant. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found in flexible plastic, cosmetics, shampoos and detergents. Perhaps couples wanting to get pregnant should minimize their exposure to plastic containers, canned foods and beverages–and wash their hands after handling cash register receipts.
[Joint meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Boston, MA]
We have interviewed many of the country’s leading experts on endocrine disruptors, including BPA and phthalates, for our radio show. We did a two-part series on hormone disruption in 2008. You can learn more about how to avoid these compounds from our interview with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog.
