Green Options

A study conducted by the UCLA School of Public Health indicates that women with higher levels of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their blood took longer to become pregnant than those with lower levels.

The study defined infertility as taking longer than 12 months to become pregnant or requiring medical treatment to achieve pregnancy.   Women who carried a relatively high level of PFC compounds in their blood were correspondingly more likely to experience infertility- anywhere from 60% to 154% more likely.  These women with higher levels of exposure also tended to report irregular menstrual cycles, suggesting that PFC exposure may have an effect on reproductive homones.

PFCs are man-made chemicals used as stain-and grease-proof coatings on fabrics, food packaging, carpets, and cookware.  They also appear in some water supplies and in personal care products such as dental floss and shampoo.

PFCs are everywhere and they never go away. Extremely stable compounds, PFCs never break down, causing them to accumulate in the environment and in our bodies.  They have been linked to cancers, birth defects, and low birth weights.  Tranferrable from mother to child via the placenta, PFCs also contribute to the chemical burden of newborns; brand new babies carry PFC compounds in their umbilical cord blood.

Is it even possible to avoid PFCs?  There are some ways to limit your exposure.

Many of my friends and family members have struggled with fertility issues.

Whether the cause is hormone disrupting chemicals, the pill, or aging mothers, the issue of infertility is complex and probably compounded by a variety of factors.  According to a new study, you can add genetically engineered corn to the list of causes of infertility.

An Austrian study released in November 2008 has found that GM corn has a damaging effect upon the reproductive system of mice.