Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine have found that “endless chemicals” can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by 40%. Research published in the journal Total Environmental Science.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) have been used as non-stick and dirt-repellent coatings since the mid-20th century. They are also called “timeless chemicals” because PFAS does not naturally degrade.
The scientists noted that previous studies have shown that PFAS can affect sex hormones, affect the onset of puberty, and increase the risk of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome in women. In a new study, researchers evaluated the impact of PFAS on the chances of getting pregnant among healthy women.
More than a thousand women from Singapore participated in the study. She attended three pre-conception sessions, each over several months. Afterwards, the onset and course of pregnancy were followed up during the year by phone calls.
In addition, blood PFAS levels were measured in 382 women. Researchers have found that low PFAS concentrations reduce women’s chances of getting pregnant by 5-10%, and high concentrations by 25-40%.
The scientists did not investigate the nature of their results and did not rule out that the results could be biased. The effect they found highlights the importance of further studies with larger numbers of participants. Scientists have advised women trying to conceive to avoid exposure to this class of chemicals.