Can't Conceive? Plastic Chemicals Blamed for Reproductive Problems

Plastic chemicals cause both men and women to have reproductive problems, according to Health Day. Two plastic chemicals called bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates may cause both men and women the inability to conceive, as it reportedly encourages higher incidence of miscarriage in women and lower fertility rates in men.

The two chemicals are primary compounds for the production of plastic wares, although both have been banned from being used to develop infant products like pacifiers and teething toys, as well as feeding bottles and sippy cups, reports Fox 2548.

In two small studies funded by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, it was found that women who sustained high levels of BPA have an alarmingly higher chance (80%) of undergoing a miscarriage as compared to women who have low or zero levels of BPA in their system. Meanwhile, males who sustain high phthalate content in their blood are found to have lowered fertility rate, a 20% reduction in reproductive capability, reports WebMD.

Dr. Ruth Lathi, co-author in the study, serves as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Stanford University Medical Center. She said that the discovery would help both men and women to exercise precaution against using plastics in their home. Lathi said, "women with unexplained miscarriages may avoid BPA to reduce one potential risk factor," according to WebMD.

Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) released a statement disagreeing with the findings of both studies. The trade group's spokesperson Kathryn Murray St. John said that, "These studies both appear to be small-scale studies that cannot establish any cause-and-effect relationship. They are based on single samples to monitor exposure and so it is difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions," reports Health Day.

Both studies are to be presented at the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine this week.