Flame retardants may undermine the chances of women to have children
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Researchers have found that exposure to flame retardants may undermine the chances of women to get pregnant and to have live births.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has reported that exposure to common flame retardants may decrease the chances for women to conceive children. These flame retardants are in products which women are regularly exposed to. Organophosphate flame retardants are used to make polyurethane foam which is used in baby products and upholstered furniture.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have reported that women who have higher concentrations of a common type of flame retardant in their urine have a decreased chance of getting pregnant. Exposure to flame retardants also lowers the chances of women to have live births.
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Courtney Carignan, who is the first author of this study, has commented that these findings suggest that exposure to organophosphate flame retardants appears to be among risk factors for decreased success for women who desire to get pregnant. The implication is that the use of flame retardants should be lowered and alternatives which are safer should be found.
In animal studies organophosphate flame retardants have been found to lead to disruption of hormones. Furthermore, these flame retardants can seep out into the air and into dust from furniture and other products which they are used in.
The journal Environmental Health Perspectives has published this study. Researchers have observed that there is a potential adverse association between exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and success in getting pregnant and having live births. Women who desire to conceive should clearly consider avoiding products which have these flame retardants in them.
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