There are so many man made chemicals allowed on the market and in our environment that have known reproductive risks. This is because the testing in most cases concludes that they are in low enough doses not to cause reproductive harm. I wonder if the people approving these things take into consideration that if there were enough chemicals in low enough doses causing reproductive harm in almost everything in our environment that it would actually add up to a large dose that does affect our fertility? Is there a study that takes into consideration the total amount of chemicals that we come into contact with on a daily basis and then analyzes the risks? I would like to see what that test result would say.
Here are some of the main chemicals linked to reproductive problems:
BPAs are used to soften plastics. They are known as gender benders because they mimic estrogen. On top of that some studies show they affect fertility.
PFCs (Perfluorinated chemicals) which are found in everyday items like carpet, food packaging and clothing may be affecting fertility.
Phtalates are a group of chemicals that are used to dissolve and carry fragrances, soften plastics and are also used as sealants and adhesives. Phthalates are commonly found in products like cosmetics, paints, nail polish and some children’s toys. Some studies have concluded phthalates can cause damage to sperm DNA and that they may be affecting women’s fertility too.
Dioxin is produced when chemicals or plastics are manufactured or burned as an unwanted but inevitable by-product. Studies have shown that dioxin can affect fertility.
Pesticides are a group of chemicals used in weed control and end up in much of the food we eat. Studies have shown they can affect fertility.
What we do know is that:
1. Sperm counts have dropped 50% in the last 50 years.
2. More and more couples are having to seek out expensive in vitro fertilization procedures and fertility drugs.
Most of the chemicals mentioned have published studies proving a reproductive risk. I sit here and wonder why in the world we don’t consider that a chemical cocktail we come into contact with daily will hurt our chances of reproducing? I really don’t care if a low dose of BPA is “safe” for me. I care whether a mixture of all of the above is still safe for me and more importantly my children.
Keep asking questions,
Penny