Environmental Studies Link Plastic Pollutant To Infertility

One of the most challenging aspects of being a woman is having to cope with infertility. This is because being fertile, as a woman, not only satisfies the emotional desire a woman has for creating a life, but also a very deep physical and biological urge. It is very important for women to pay attention to their bodies in pursuing health and pregnancy, especially to scientists' warming over environmental exposure to toxic pollutants and chemicals. Fertility experts now believe that is better to avoid environmental pollution from toxic chemicals in our homes than to do sign up for body cleansing procedures. Where we live, the foods we eat, and the contact we make with various household products have unbelievable influence in our health and well-being.

For women with fertility issues, environmental health researchers have been able to create a link between the popular toxic pollutant, bisphenol-A or BPA and female infertility. In other words, the more exposure a woman has with BPA in plastic pollution, the greater she impairs her chances of having a baby. BPA is used to make plastic hard and shatter-proof. Sources of environmental pollution from BPA include canned foods, beverages, paper receipts and dental sealants.

There is strong evidence that BPA is both an ovarian and uterine toxicant. This has been show in multiple studies where high levels of BPA were found in women undergoing in vitro fertilization or IVF. This has translated to lesser successful pregnancies. More recently, a study of 239 women was conducted to show how the environmental pollution of BPA affects fertility in women. The result of this study showed that 17% of the women, with high level exposure to BPA, had a baby. This compared to 54% of women who had the lowest exposure to this environmental pollutant. Another research study of 174 women undergoing IVF in Boston, showed high concentrations of BPA in urine. This high level of this toxic chemical in urine has been linked to reduction in cells that form eggs in ovaries. Women with higher BPA levels had 24% fewer cells than than those with lower levels. Also pollution by BPA has been linked with reduced estrogen activities in women and embryo quality.

BPA functions by mimicking the hormone estrogen and also disrupts endocrine activities in the body which is crucial to brain function development of the immune system and of course, reproduction. Environmental health studies show that almost everyone has traces of this pollutant in their body. They believe that diet is the major source of exposure to BPA pollution since it can leach out of the linings in can foods. Further reaserch studies has revealed that BPA influences cell division in ovaries of animals and human alike, and alter menstrual cycles.

Even in the light of these evidences, the US FDA maintains that BPA leaching does not harm people. It has repeatedly declined several opportunities to comment about mounting evidences linking BPA pollution and infertility in women. It assumes that since BPA is rapidly removed from the body, leaving no time for it to cause health concerns. Also, the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers has said the current studies are not adequate enough to support any medical advice or decisions.

Researchers are not convinced with statements from the FDA and several fertility counselors have called for an understanding of the health effects of which pollution from BPA has on fertility. It is advocated the use of natural diets, cleansing products and cosmetics free from endocrine disrupting chemicals. They also advice that water should be drunk from glass cups or stainless steels.