Study: Toxic chemicals cause reproductive problems
By Catherine Pearson, Huffington Post
Toxic chemicals in the environment are detrimental to the reproductive health of both men and women, according to a new joint committee opinion written by two major medical organizations.
In an opinion paper published last week in the journal Fertility and Sterility, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Society for Reproductive Medicine called for further research into the potential impact of environmental contaminants on fertility and pregnancy. The groups also urged policymakers to provide consumers and workers with clear information about potential risks.
“This is a call for awareness,” said Dr. Jeanne Conry, president of ACOG, told Huffington Post. “We want men and women to know there are concerns, but we’re not trying to hit a bell and alarm everyone.”
As of 2006, there were roughly 87,000 chemical substances registered for commerce in the U.S., according to figures cited in the opinion. Common environmental pollutants include pesticides, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and endocrine disruptors like bisphenol A (BPA).