Couples looking to conceive via IVF are being urged to investigate products they use on a regular basis.
New research shows that chemicals in flame retardant materials can cause infertility.
The Research
Firstly, Harvard researchers recruited 211 women being evaluated for IVF to take part in the study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives journal.
Secondly, two urine samples were taken from participants for each IVF cycle and analysed for by-products of five flame retardant chemicals.
Those women with the highest levels of the chemicals were:
- 10 percent less likely to have a successful fertilisation.
- 31% less likely to have an embryo implant in the uterus,
- 41% less likely to have a viable pregnancy
- 38% less likely to have a live birth.
- The Findings
Finally, “the findings suggest that exposure to PFRs may be a risk factors for lower reproductive success,” said Courtney Carignan, who carried out research at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.
Carignan opted to use IVF couples as it allowed for researchers to be involved in each step of the pregnancy.
Organo-phosphate Flame Retardants
The chemicals known as PFRs, organophosphate flame retardants can be found in many household items such as:
- Carpet
- Yoga mats
- Nail polish
- Furniture such as couches and chairs
“We all ingest a little bit of dust every day because they easily stick to our hands,” Carignan added.
“Couples wishing to reduce exposure to flame retardants may benefit from washing their hands several times throughout the day, especially before eating.
Previous studies have shown people who wash their hands more frequently have lower levels of these chemicals in their bodies.”
To conclude, according to the National Center for Health Statistics’ 2016 analysis there have been drops in infertility across all age groups.
David L. Edwards is an author, Chinese medicine physician and acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine. David is the director of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.
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